Steelers GM Omar Khan says Kenny Pickett's growth has been 'really encouraging'
Kenny Pickett has entered his second training camp in the NFL as the QB1 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s what he has done and the impression he had made over his time with the franchise, though, that have truly impressed the higher-ups.
Steeler GM Omar Khan recently spoke on Pickett and his growth coming into his second season during an appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ last week. He highlighted Pickett’s work ethic and ability to rally the team around him as reasons why he’s encouraged about the direction in which Pittsburgh is going with him.
“Everything’s been really encouraging,” said Khan. “I’ll mention just with Kenny? No one outworks Kenny Pickett and he has such a desire to be great. That has an effect on everyone in the locker room, everyone in the building really.”
Pickett was the most efficient quarterback out of the four who played in Pittsburgh’s preseason-opening win over Tampa Bay on Friday. In the 27-17 victory over the Buccaneers, he went 6/7 when passing for 70 yards and a touchdown.
This comes after he played in 13 games for the Steelers last season as a rookie and posted 2,404 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions on a 63% completion rate.
Pickett has seemingly earned the respect of the franchise based on Khan’s comments last week. He could earn himself even more, though, with a successful first season as Pittsburgh’s full-time starter in 2023.
Former NFL head coach explains why Pickett is more seasoned than Ben Roethlisberger
Being the successor to a two-time Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Fame quarterback is no easy task. And yet, that’s exactly what Kenny Pickett is facing as his Pittsburgh Steelers career rolls on.
While Pickett may not be Ben Roethlisberger just yet, that doesn’t mean he can’t be. Dave Wannstedt, former NFL head coach and current Fox Sports analyst, actually believes Pickett is a bit more seasoned than Roethlisberger coming from college and into the NFL.
Wannstedt stated his case during a recent appearance on Colin Cowherd’s podcast.
“He’s just such a winner and such a competitor,” Wannstedt said. “Maybe his arm strength isn’t Ben Roethlisberger. But I think the guy’s probably more athletic and he has played at more big games at this point than Ben did. Coming out of college, Ben did not play at the level that Kenny Pickett did for four years against Division I schools and beat some really good opponents.
“I think all that stuff is part of him and he’s very confident. They’re expecting championships. This is not Pickett’s good enough to get to the playoffs as long as we play good defense and run the ball. They see Kenny Pickett as a Super Bowl-type quarterback for them.”