Steelers: Mike Tomlin has high expectations for Kenny Pickett's second season
There are no more rookie blues for Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickett is entering his second year in the NFL, and with that comes higher expectations from all angles. Pittsburgh has ever right to be encouraged. Pickett finished his first season playing his best football, and a year of NFL life and experience […]
There are no more rookie blues for Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickett is entering his second year in the NFL, and with that comes higher expectations from all angles.
Pittsburgh has ever right to be encouraged. Pickett finished his first season playing his best football, and a year of NFL life and experience in the Steelers' system gives him experience to build higher and better.
It's precisely what head coach Mike Tomlin is expecting.
This is still new territory for Tomlin, who inherited a 25-year old Ben Roethlisberger entering his fourth season back in 2007. Pickett is the first true heir to Big Ben, and Tomlin is not lowering the bar for him.
"I expect him to kill it," Tomlin stated matter of factly on the Rich Eisen Show. "It's his second lap around the track. He's no longer speculating in terms of what this business is about, what the job demands, what the challenges are, what the feel of the process is like, whether it's getting ready for season or getting ready for a week. He has all of that experience. And so I just think it's reasonable for him to have significant growth in all areas with that understanding."
Significant growth comes in many different forms, whether it's quantitative like completion percentage, or qualitative like leadership, Pickett is primed to take the necessary steps to elevate the Steelers back into the playoffs.
The position he plays can't be ignored in terms of the intangible progress he's to achieve. Being the quarterback means being the true leader of the team. Tomlin believes having established connections with his teammates after year one will also help Pickett make strides in this area.
"Because he has deeper relationships with his teammates. He's delivered for him some, and so credibility is there," Tomlin said. "And so it's reasonable to feel that comfort. I'm just looking for him to take a significant step in all areas."
The Steelers ultimately go as far as Pickett takes them. As a rookie, he threw for 2,404 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per attempt. With a better offensive line protecting him, Pickett can unlock his potential and successfully take the steps his head coach envisions him taking.
