Steelers just stumbled into an offensive goldmine

If you watched the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football, perhaps you noticed a different part of Kenny Pickett's game: And while Pickett's running may have come out of necessity, it needs to stay out of functionality: "He's a Very Athletic Quarterback" "And also, allowing Kenny Pickett to be more […]

Rob Gregson NFL News Writer
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Sep 24, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) runs with the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

If you watched the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football, perhaps you noticed a different part of Kenny Pickett's game:

And while Pickett's running may have come out of necessity, it needs to stay out of functionality:

"He's a Very Athletic Quarterback"

"And also, allowing Kenny Pickett to be more involved in the running game," CBS Sports analyst and former Steelers CB Bryant McFadden said on Monday. He's a very, very athletic quarterback. You know, if you want to allow him to improvise and make things happen with his legs like we saw in the first half, I think that could do wonders for their offense moving forward."

Pickett wasn't lauded for his running ability coming out of Pitt, but it is an element of his game that has been untapped since his inception to the NFL. Faster than many think, Pickett showed he can move vs. Vegas, opening an entire range of possibilities for the offense. 

Now, I'm not saying I want to see power-read analogous to what the Ravens run with Lamar Jackson, or QB counter that makes the Eagles and Hurts so tough to defend. 

But more rolling pockets, changed launch points, and even an occasional zone read are wrinkles that could do wonders for Pittsburgh, as evidenced on Sunday night. 

And while it would make the offense even harder to defend, it would also be mutually beneficial to Matt Canada, who is suddenly receiving some praise after what has been a tough time over the past few years. 

So it's just an idea, and one that Pittsburgh probably wasn't even thinking about before Sunday, but like many things in life, sometimes the best concepts come from accidents. 

Featured image via: © Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports