Steelers QB Kenny Pickett gets blasted by former NFL scout
Love him or hate him, Kenny Pickett is going to be the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers for at the very least, another two seasons. If he hasn't grown, developed, and proven to be a winning player in this league by then, Pittsburgh will have to make a tough, but inevitable decision. But according to […]
Love him or hate him, Kenny Pickett is going to be the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers for at the very least, another two seasons.
If he hasn't grown, developed, and proven to be a winning player in this league by then, Pittsburgh will have to make a tough, but inevitable decision.
But according to one NFL scout now turned media member, Pickett's limitations may just place him in a tough spot:
John Middlekauff is the host of the Three and Out Podcast on the Volume Sports Network. Before he took a career in broadcasting, he scouted for the Philadelphia Eagles in their pro department and then as a west coast area scout. He knows a thing or two when it comes to the quarterback position, so what he had to say about Pickett was telling:
"Kenny Pickett is not my type of quarterback. I like big-arm guys," said Middlekauff. "I just do, but it doesn't mean I'm always right. I like Will Levis, (Titans 2023 second-round pick and polarizing QB prospect) but clearly, a lot of people do not."
"Now, I'm not saying that I think Will Levis is going to be better than Kenny Pickett, but I'm just saying I typically like those types of quarterbacks more than weak arm guys that are predicated on accuracy, timing, and risk."
Talk about a shot out of the gate. I would agree that Pickett doesn't have "easy gas". You know, the flick of the wrist that Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and now Patrick Mahomes have, where they look like a shortstop turning two. Pickett lacks that upper-tier velocity, but it doesn't mean he can't make Sunday throws between the hashes…
"So I don't love taking guys like that (Pickett) high in the draft because I think you are very dependent on getting their best. And that even means the ceiling is lower right," added Middlekauff.
"Kenny Pickett, even if he hits, his ceiling is low relative to other physically different players. Josh Allen, Mahomes, Trevor Lawrence, Herbert, those types of guys, just because physically there much more gifted."
"Again, that doesn't mean you can't have a lot of success. I'm not saying he's this guy, obviously, and their games are a lot different because he's a much better athlete (Pickett) But Philip Rivers (former 8x Pro Bowler with the Chargers) did not have an arm and he had a ton of success."
Well, I think I speak for the majority of those who bleed black and gold when I say Steeler fans would have no issue with Pickett having a Phillip Rivers-like career. Yes, he never won a Super Bowl, but he made multiple playoff runs and played for an organization that lacks the infrastructure, culture, and coaching that the Steelers have.
If Pickett can be that productive during his time in Pittsburgh, the road to seven will be a lot easier.
You can watch the full episode from John Middlekauff on Three and Out, here.
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