Steelers Won't Move Off Kenny Pickett Any Time Soon According To A Definitive Colin Cowherd

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the major decision to grab quarterback Kenny Pickett from the University of Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to be the next franchise quarterback in the Steel City. The team has mustered a 3-2 record before the bye week on the back of their defense and Pickett making plays when needed. He's by no means been perfect in his first season where he was the starter from day one, and there's been some speculation that Pittsburgh will be back in the market for a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Pickett's impeccable preseason is now way in the rearview mirror as he's struggled with consistency so far in 2023. He's only thrown for more than one touchdown in a game once in Pittsburgh's win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3. He's been heavily criticized for his lack of pocket awareness. The offense as a whole has been bad and Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada's job is in serious jeopardy.  

Despite all that, Pittsburgh is leading the AFC North thanks to their Week 5 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The team is in a position to compete despite their sluggish start and blowout losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans. Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd said during a segment on his show The Herd that despite the sluggish Pittsburgh win over Baltimore, Pickett is going to continue to get a leash to develop. 

"One of the reasons the Steelers have not drafted University of Pittsburgh kids is that they don't want to move off him," he said. "They're not moving off Kenny Pickett, he's a local kid. It's why the Rooneys never want to draft University of Pittsburgh kids. The Rooneys are such a part of the fabric of the city that if it doesn't work, they don't, and they have to cut him or trade him, they don't like to do that. So, they're in on Pickett for a long time. I'd be shocked if they drafted another quarterback." 

The Steelers famously passed on Pitt Panthers legendary quarterback Dan Marino in the 1983 NFL Draft with Terry Bradshaw nearing the end of his career. Art Rooney and Dan Rooney were infatuated with the Pittsburgh native who starred in college in his hometown, but Head Coach Chuck Noll didn't want to potentially anger Bradshaw who they thought was still going to play a few more years. After not ending up with Marino, it looks like the franchise is going to give a long leash to the man who broke many of Marino's collegiate records. 

Steelers Need More From Pickett If Their Old School Approach Is Going To Work

Cowherd has been very vocal about his dislike of the franchise's philosophy of defense first and it was a talking point for him again on Monday. He said that the formula of hoping your defense can make plays and then get enough from the offense to win isn't a recipe for success in today's NFL against some of the high-flying offensive teams, but probably good enough to keep you in 9-8.

Cowherd said he's amazed at how Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has an ability to "manufacture wins with defense like no one I've ever seen" and added later that if Pittsburgh is going to make it work, now is the time. 

"Your window with Pickett is these three years where you're not paying him," Cowherd said. "This is the time to do it. If you have to pay him and peel some of those defensive players off, then it's not the same thing."

Pickett has shown the ability to make some big-time plays so far in 2023. If he and the offense can find a way to make just a few more each game with a defensive unit sporting TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, they might have a formula for success. 

Tomlin challenged Pickett to show "great growth" in the offseason, and while he's had flashes, the overall product has left a lot to be desired. An 80-yard drive capped off with a 41-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens was enough to win against the Ravens, but more complete performances will be required if the team wants to win this way. 

What did you think of Cowherd's comments? Can Pittsburgh do well with Pickett and a defense-first mentality? Comment below!

#SteelerNation