The Pittsburgh Steelers are still sorting through one of the biggest decisions of the offseason.
That would be what they do at the QB position in 2024.
But the more you hear from people in the know, and around the organization, the more signs point to a year three with Kenny Pickett:
Even as they sort out their quarterback outlook, the Steelers have started the process of rebuilding third-year passer Kenny Pickett. I’m told new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith recently spent time with Pickett in South Florida and that the two had a “great” meeting. The sentiment among many here in Indy — including some with the team — was that Pickett could get another chance after a disastrous 2023 season due in part to the offense’s overall struggles under then-OC Matt Canada. Smith should help maximize Pickett’s skill set.
-Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
I think that we forget Smith was hired not to bring in a QB of his choosing, but to get the most out of Pickett and what he can be.
And sure, maybe that’s not a ton. No one ever thought Pickett had the ceiling to be an elite QB.
So if you want to say well, “Why pick him in the first place?” then you have a point, but the facts are they did pick him, and they have due diligence to see what he is.
Make no bones about it, Kenny Pickett is under a lot of pressure in 2024. This is it. His career will likely be defined by how he plays this fall.
Play well and he likely has his fifth-year option pricked up and sets himself up for a lucrative second contract.
But play bad, and he’s likely relegated to a career backup.
So yes, I know Pittsburgh has their three best players in their prime or nearing the end of their prime via T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward, pointing to the fact that the Steelers should be in win-now mode.
But the truth is, the rest of the roster isn’t as built as it needs to be. There are questions along the offensive line, significant injuries in the LB corps, and holes in the secondary.
So to say the Steelers are a “QB away” is a fallacy, and is the main reason why Pickett will receive another shot in 2024.
