Kenny Pickett still showing flashes amid early Steelers camp issues
By Mark Powell
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Kenny Pickett has shown some flashes despite mixed reviews from the team’s training camp in Latrobe.
Pickett, despite being the most pro-ready prospect in this quarterback class, remains a rookie. There’s bound to be a learning curve in his first year adjusting to the professional level.
So, when pitted against the likes of Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, it would be understandable if he fell slightly behind in the opening days of training camp.
Unfortunately, that’s not how sports media works. The Pickett panic meter is at an all-time high. It doesn’t help that Pickett went to college at Pitt, and is replacing all-time great quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
This has the makings of an all-time great sports story, or another huge letdown.
Steelers: Kenny Pickett making progress, despite reports
When comparing Pickett to the likes of Rudolph and Trubisky, it helps put his issues in perspective. The early days of training camp are an adjustment for the offense, especially in year one without Big Ben.
The defense, like is the case in most training camps, held an early edge when matched up against all three quarterbacks.
Kenny Pickett didn’t complete a pass in the first team period of the day. He would’ve been sacked twice, threw another too low, and had his last attempt batted down at the line of scrimmage
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 30, 2022
Mitch Trubisky, meanwhile, went 0/4 for the second day in a row on 7 shots.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 30, 2022
Rudolph went 1/2, first throw — on a free play — got tipped LOS and Donovan Stiner made what looked like a diving INT, but ball popped out of his hands and Connor Heyward grabbed it for a TD.
Yet, there was a bright spot for Pickett which was missing for the likes of Trubisky and Rudolph — and that’s a throw which arguably neither of them could make even on their best day.
Kenny Pickett just scored on his first 7 shots rep on a back shoulder throw to Tyler Vaughns. Contested catch over James Pierre, though there is some discussion of if he got down. Feet weren’t down in the EZ, but looked like he got an elbow in. No instant replay at camp.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 30, 2022
Plays like the above are what made Pickett a first-round selection in the first place. If he can bring that level of play consistently, he’ll cement himself as a household name outside of Pittsburgh.
As always, there’s more than meets the eye in NFL training camp.
Next. Steelers: 3 players who won’t be on the roster by September 1. dark