Steelers: Former NFL GM shares harsh truth about Kenny Pickett
While it may be the time frame that many deem the "dog days" of the NFL offseason, it doesn't mean the content stops flowing. Predictions, rankings, and hot and heavy takes are as prevalent as ever, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. Kenny Pickett has been no stranger to the fodder, but what three-time Super […]
While it may be the time frame that many deem the "dog days" of the NFL offseason, it doesn't mean the content stops flowing.
Predictions, rankings, and hot and heavy takes are as prevalent as ever, especially when it comes to quarterbacks.
Kenny Pickett has been no stranger to the fodder, but what three-time Super Bowl-winning executive Michael Lombardi had to say doesn't exactly come off as flattering.
Currently the host of The GM Shuffle and The Lombardi Line, Micahel Lombardi spent over three decades in the league, winning championships with some of the best minds to ever coach and evaluate the sport including; Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belichick.
One of the more informed take artists we have in the media world, when Lombardi speaks, it usually lends credence to whatever the matter is. His most recent episode of The Lombardi Line analyzed the quarterbacks that have to take a jump in 2023. Kenny Pickett was obviously a part of this list, with Lombardi stating the following:
"Kenny Pickett though is an interesting one," said co-host of The Lombardi Line Femi Abebefe. "It feels like not a whole lot of people are talking about the Steelers as a whole but especially Kenny Pickett going from year one to year two. I thought he showed some flashes. There was some decision-making stuff that I wasn't thrilled with, but I thought overall, Pickett had a pretty solid rookie season. What do you think Pickett can improve on to get lightyears ahead of where he was in year one?"
"So if I'm talking to Kenny Pickett, I'm talking about the same thing to him that I'm talking about to Mac Jones. You're not an elite-skill player. You don't have a powerful arm. You're just not going to dazzle people with your athleticism. Your mind and your experience from all the starts in college at Pitt have to transcend itself into this offense into the second year," answered Lombardi.
While comparing Kenny Pickett to Mac Jones may come off as repulsive to Steeler fans, Lombardi's point should be well taken. Yesterday we documented Pickett's rookie struggles, and while Lombardi comes off as a brute in his delivery, the proof lies in the film that he, I, and other objective graders have analyzed.
Now, this doesn't mean Lombardi thinks Pickett will fail, he just has to play a certain style according to the former GM:
"You don't have to carry the team. You have to lead the team. That's really important and I think he's capable of doing that, said Lombardi."
"Look, when they drafted Pickett at 20th overall in the draft, they knew he's never going to be a top-five player in the league but they feel like he can help them win," noted Lombardi. "He can help them win games, and he can help them become a better team with three elements because Tomlin is at head coach. Offense, defense, and the kicking game. So he's got to understand his role. His role isn't to be a hero. His role is to execute the offense."
While the cardinal sin of QB stereotyping didn't slip his lips, one can use context clues to estimate that Lombardi might as well view Pickett as a "game manager." And for every Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, there's an Alex Smith or Brock Purdy, with all four showing capable of regular and postseason success. The only thing left to ask…
Can Kenny Pickett do the same for the Steelers?
Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
