Steelers: Kenny Pickett draws comparison to history-setting QB
The Pittsburgh Steelers hope that Kenny Pickett takes the next step this fall. After showing flashes of excellence that helped lead the team to a 7-2 record down the stretch last season, an entire offseason of being in command should help. But one of Pickett's newest pass protectors already sees the greatness in Pickett, comparing […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers hope that Kenny Pickett takes the next step this fall.
After showing flashes of excellence that helped lead the team to a 7-2 record down the stretch last season, an entire offseason of being in command should help.
But one of Pickett's newest pass protectors already sees the greatness in Pickett, comparing him to the quarterback he was last seen blocking for in the Super Bowl.
Isaac Seumalo may not have gained the attention that signings like Patrick Peterson, or trades like Alen Robinson did but come the end of next season, he may be the most impactful 2023 signing of them all for the Steelers.
Seumalo is a fantastic guard that was signed from the cross-state Philadelphia Eagles during free agency. His play last season was some of the best of his career, allowing Philly to dent the line of scrimmage in the run game, and give Jalen Hurts time to carve up defenses from the pocket.
If anyone knows what a winning quarterback looks like, acts like, and plays like, it's Seumalo. The duration of his time in Philly mirrored the development of Jalen Hurts, as he witnessed him blossom from backup to starter, to would have been Super Bowl MVP, had not the greatest player in the history of the game been on the other side of the ball. (Sorry Brady lovers, Pat Mahomes has him beat)
Hurts would go on to sign a record-breaking contract this offseason, earning him the title of highest-paid player in NFL history for a few weeks, until Lamar Jackson signed his deal, and so on and so forth with the step ladder of quarterback deals.
So when Seumalo took to the media following week one of OTA's, everyone was going to be interested in what the new addition had to say after his integration period, but no one expected him to say this:
"We go, like every NFL team, you go as the QB does," Seumalo said. "Obviously there’s differences here and there with different teams, but I think he’s (Kenny Pickett) a great player, he’s been leading us so far. One of the coolest things is that he also — I have a lot of respect for Jalen Hurts, too. Shout out to him. Baller, man — and they both share this aspect of seeing eye-to-eye with everyone on the team regardless of where they come from or how they are. Kenny can talk to anybody at any time, and I think guys respect that.”
One of the greatest compliments a quarterback can receive is that he's an awesome teammate and that players want to be around him. That only adds to the bond and the standard between him and his offensive brethren. So hopefully, Pickett is following Hurts in more than his leadership style, with his play on the field coming next.
Featured image via:© Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
