Kenny Pickett sets Steelers rookie record, yet fans still complain about him
By Mark Powell
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has made progress, but some fans just don’t see it.
Kenny Pickett and the Steelers have won two games in a row for the first time this season. At 5-7, they’re on the outside looking in in the AFC playoff picture, as every AFC North team won this past week.
It’s a longshot that Pittsburgh makes the postseason, but there are more important things at play for this young squad. For the Steelers to succeed for much of the next decade, they need to find an heir apparent to Ben Roethlisberger. Kenny Pickett gets the first shot at that title, and while he got off to a rough start (as most rookie quarterbacks do), he’s finally starting to settle in.
Pickett has thrown 128 straight passes without an interception. Per Elias Sports, that’s the most for a rookie in Steelers history.
Kenny Pickett's 128 consecutive passes without an interception is the longest by a Steelers rookie in franchise history, per @EliasSports
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 4, 2022
Some Steelers fans still complain about Kenny Pickett
Kenny Pickett could very well turn out a complete failure, but to assume we know that to be the case at this juncture is just as foolish as considering him a Pro Bowl-level talent. Pickett is in development, and as painful as that is for a fanbase who grew accustomed to Ben Roethlisberger in his prime, it’s something every franchise must suffer through to find the next top-tier QB.
Just a few weeks ago, Pittsburgh media pundit Mark Madden declared Pickett ‘not ready‘ to be the Steelers QB.
https://twitter.com/kpickettszn/status/1599509815910621185
If you can’t see the progress Kenny Pickett is making week-by-week you’re just a hater at this point.
— Cale Berger (@cale_berger) November 29, 2022
Kenny Pickett through first 8 career games:
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 29, 2022
66.6 CMP%
1,600 passing yards
6 TOT TD
Ben Roethlisberger through first 8 career games:
67.6 CMP%
1,450 passing yards
10 TOT TD
The Steelers rookie QB is showing flashes of the Pittsburgh legend 👀 pic.twitter.com/KfrvwsKJLR
Kenny Pickett turnovers his first 16 quarters: 9
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 29, 2022
<<bye week>>
Kenny Pickett turnovers his past 12 quarters: 0
Pickett is far from perfect, and simply not turning the ball over isn’t enough to declare him a success. To be a model of consistency in that department is a step in the right direction, but the next step in his development is to lift his offense from the depths of the NFL.
If he can do that — especially with Matt Canada as his OC — by the end of the season, then he truly deserves credit. If not, then perhaps the Steelers offseason conversation will get a little more interesting.
But let’s give the kid a break. He’s showing progress.
Next. Latest embarrassing Steelers clip should be last straw for Matt Canada (Video). dark