What the numbers don't say about Steelers QB Kenny Pickett's rookie year
The potential for the Pittsburgh Steelers is high. Coming off a productive offseason that featured several high-impact free agent signings and draft picks, Pittsburgh is looking to reassert itself in an always competitive AFC North.But it all starts with how the quarterback performs. It was not a traditional rookie season for quarterback Kenny Pickett, the […]
The potential for the Pittsburgh Steelers is high. Coming off a productive offseason that featured several high-impact free agent signings and draft picks, Pittsburgh is looking to reassert itself in an always competitive AFC North.
But it all starts with how the quarterback performs.
It was not a traditional rookie season for quarterback Kenny Pickett, the first quarterback taken in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pickett eventually got the nod to start in early October and slowly but surely progressed as the year did the same. It's understanding the context of his production that matters when looking at a potential year two leap.
Pro Football Focus analyst Sam Monson liked what he saw from Pickett's rookie season, even if the box score stats didn't reflect that optimisim. Monson characterized it perfectly when comparing Pickett's season to that of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
"I think the largest difference between those two last season was coaching," Monson explained. "Brock Purdy was playing in the Shanahan system that we know is a cheat code for offensive success, and Kenny Pickett was not … I think he showed significantly more year one than I was expecting to see from him."
Monson touched on the fact that Purdy's PFF Passing grade was only two points higher than Pickett's. PFF grades are mainly based on performance, and nuance is factored in as well. When comparing the two rookie quarterbacks, one's situation and supporting cast was significantly better than the other's, which helps explain the similar grades.
Brock Purdy vs. Kenny Pickett
| Player | Passing Grade | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Yards Per Attempt | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brock Purdy | 75.1 | 16 | 4 | 8,3 | 108 |
Kenny Pickett | 73 | 7 | 9 | 6.2 | 76.7 |
Of course, the differences between Kyle Shanahan and Matt Canada's offense can't be understated, but the Steelers did start finding a groove with Pickett under center as the year came to a close. The new look of the second-year quarterback's receiving corps is yet another reason to be excited about Pickett's progression.
"I would be very optimistic from a Steelers point of view," Monson said of the Steelers entering Pickett's second year. "With the receiving corps Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, they bring in Allen Robinson, a great low risk type of addition, Calvin Austin that we didn't see at all last season. Like that's a really good group of pass catchers for Kenny Pickett to actually work with."
The weapons are in place, as is familiarity within the system that should improve due to continuity. All that's left is for Pickett to prove himself in such a critical year.
Featured image via Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
