The single biggest area Steelers will improve with Kenny Pickett at the wheel
Since Week 1, I've been angrily typing on this keyboard for one big reason. The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line wasn't allowing a lot of quarterback pressures like we all thought it would after a rough offseason. That's a fine thing, obviously, but hear me out. Despite chaotic predictions about that unit upfront, those five guys […]
Since Week 1, I've been angrily typing on this keyboard for one big reason. The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line wasn't allowing a lot of quarterback pressures like we all thought it would after a rough offseason. That's a fine thing, obviously, but hear me out.
Despite chaotic predictions about that unit upfront, those five guys are holding their own pretty well. Four weeks into the season, it's the offensive line that has allowed the least pressures in the year.
And yet, Mitch Trubisky – despite quality protection – was under constant pressure. The reason?
Well, the Steelers' quarterback himself. I could tell you that Pro Football Focus has him as the quarterback with the highest responsibility percentage in the team's pressures allowed. But instead of doing that and pointing out that 33% of the pressures were on him, I'll show you the clip tweeted out by Steelers Depot writer Tyler Wise:
I don't know about you, but very few things are as maddening in the NFL as a quarterback escaping a whole lot of nothing.
That's the single biggest thing the Steelers can expect improvement in now that Kenny Pickett is under center. In college, Pickett wasn't the most patient quarterback and his pocket presence was seen by many as one of his biggest weaknesses as a draft prospect.
But man, it can't be any worse than Trubisky's. Especially because in Pickett, the Steelers have a quarterback capable of using his legs as a legit threat. Not only is he a tough-as-nails scrambler but throws an accurate ball on the run.
Consider The Athletic's Dane Brugler's analysis of Pickett during the draft process:
"(Pickett) shows the functional mobility to escape the rush and throw accurately from different platforms (more comfortable throwing when scrambling to his right)," wrote Brugler in his draft guide of the Steelers' newest QB1.
"He senses where the heat is coming from and maneuvers without dropping his eyes," adds Brugler.
Some will see an offensive line playing better next Sunday but that will be just what the naked eye tells you. In reality, chances are it will be Pickett doing a better job in the pocket and not unnecessarily escaping it.
Can Pickett find that "sweet spot" for the Steelers offense?
You'll find all that these go hand-in-hand but another area fans should expect an improvement is in intermediate passing and targeting the middle of the field. When attempting passes 10-19 yards from the line of scrimmage, Trubisky struggled.
Per PFF these were the numbers when attempting such passes:
- 58% completion
- 3 turnover-worthy plays
- 1 big-time throw
In his first regular season game, Pickett attempted only three such passes for the Steelers. He completed all of them and while it's complicated to evaluate just how productive he will be in that area, not giving up on plays and bailing from the pocket should provide superior results.
The Steelers will face a gauntlet of contenders over their next four games including the Buffalo Bills next Sunday, who will come into the game with one of the most ferocious pass rush units in the league.
If they're to survive it will have to be with Pickett looking cozy in the pocket.
Featured image via Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
