Steelers' Kenny Pickett Takes Pride Being Mike Tomlin's Quarterback, Even When He Can't Understand Him

The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a tough 16-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 7 of the 2022 NFL season with Dolphins kicker Jason Saunders knocking down a 47-yard field goal with two seconds left on the clock. Kenny Pickett was making his third start and was really pulling to get the win. When he didn't and was visibly upset about it, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was there to let him know "there's going to be better days."

Pickett was recently on the Steel Here podcast with Kevin Adams and Jersey Jerry to discuss his progression from year one to year two, as well as some of his feelings about the team going into 2023. When Adams brought up that moment between him and Tomlin in Miami, Pickett explained what he was going through.   

"There was no one who wanted to win that game more than me," Pickett said. "I was pretty down about it and we [he and Tomlin] ended up walking together. He said those things and you look at how we came back after that bye week. He knows how to rally the guys and we all bought in."

Pickett said that Tomlin always comes to work with the same attitude and as a player, you always know he's going to have that fire whether it is Week 1 or Week 18. He added that is a quality he really respects in his head coach.   

"I'm proud to be his quarterback," Pickett said. "He stays consistent day in and day out with the leadership and the energy. As a young quarterback just seeing how he leads is something I've really been watching every day. There's no secret as to why he's been so successful. "

Pickett said that he wouldn't want any other coach than Tomlin. Adams added that in all the interviews that they've done on the podcast, all the former players have said that as a coach, he always finds a way to connect with the individuals on his teams and finds what will motivate them.  

Steelers' Pickett Jokes About Learning To Understand Tomlinsisms

Tomlin has become famous for the Rolodex of different phrases and sayings he will repeat to the team or in media interviews. "The standard is the standard," "It's a big game because we're in it," or most recently pulling out the reference to sparring before you can box about playing his starters in the preseason. 

Pickett said that he is constantly coming out with new material just like a comedian who needs new jokes for his next show. He also said that sometimes it can be tough to parse through the words and they can be a little bit confusing. 

He said when he first arrived, Tomlin was using the line "nameless grey faces." He and center Mason Cole thought he was saying "nameless great faces," which doesn't really make any sense, but they continued to roll with it. Then they were at lunch and someone who had been around much longer explained that Tomlin was saying grey, not great. Pickett said he and Cole really had no idea what he meant until they got an explainer. 

Another one that had Pickett stumped was an old favorite of Tomlin's "Don't get caught up in the minutia." He said that it was one that he'd hear Tomlin often say and it was kind of in one ear and out the other. Then during a team meeting, he thought to himself "Maybe I had better figure out what this actually means." So, he went and Googled minutia and now he knows that the coach means to not get caught up in all the little details.  

He said that sometimes it requires some research to fully understand his head coach, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

Are you proud to have Pickett as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback? Do you always understand the Tomlinisms, or do you sometimes need Google's help too? Comment below!

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