Why Kenny Pickett Is Poised To Avoid the Sophmore Slump
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
When Ben Roethlisberger’s retired after the 2021 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in 17 years they were looking for a franchise quarterback. Less than a year later, Kenny Pickett was taking snaps and winning over Steeler Nation.
Despite the hype leading into 2023, the former Pitt Panther’s debut campaign was filled with ups and downs. Like all young quarterbacks, Year 2 will play a large role in defining his future.
With the organization’s direction and support, Pickett looks primed to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump that has recently plagued the likes of Mac Jones and Zach Wilson.
Pickett is handling all the first-team reps during OTAs and minicamp this year after not taking any second- or first-team reps until late in training camp last year.
“I’m getting a lot more reps than I ever was last year,” Pickett said during a team media availability earlier in the summer. “I feel a lot more comfortable being in the system the second time around, being with these guys for Year 2. We’re heading in the right direction. I’ve just gotta keep showing up everyday.”
Also key for Pickett’s progress is increased familiarity with offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Command of an offense is crucial to every veteran franchise quarterback’s success. It’s no secret that Roethlisberger would often call his own plays when the Steelers were going no-huddle in pivotal situations. That’s a comfort level that Pickett could eventually achieve as he continues to master Canada’s system. (That consistency may also be the best argument for keeping Canada on the staff.)
“It’s constant communication — that’s the key I think between a quarterback and an OC,” Pickett said. “Knowing what he likes and what I like in certain situations in the two-minute would be a big deal. Understanding how he likes the flow of the game and what he usually goes with really helps me out.”
Increased familiarity with the system has also allowed Pickett to focus more on improving specific things this offseason.
“I understand what our system is now and I can work on all the things I know that we want to do this season,” Pickett said during the first day of OTAs. “Having an idea of what that is and having a head start on that I think was pretty huge.”
After struggling to 2-5 in Pickett’s first seven games, the team soared home with a 5-1 record in their final six. The lone loss came at home to Baltimore on Dec. 11 when Pickett left the game in the first quarter in concussion protocol.
Perhaps the biggest indication of Pickett’s improvement throughout last season was eliminating turnovers. During the 2-5 stretch, Pickett threw eight interceptions. He threw just one for the remainder of the season. Being able to cut down on turnovers is a huge indicator of a quarterback’s ability to adjust to the pro game.
You shouldn’t expect Pickett to make a huge statistical leap into Year 2, but he doesn’t need to. Yes, the numbers will improve having a full season as the defacto QB1, but don’t necessarily expect 4,000-plus yards and 35-plus touchdowns.
A successful sophomore campaign for Pickett would look something like 3,200-some passing yards, 20 or more touchdowns, and single-digit interceptions. With a year like this the pieces around him should be able to lift the young QB up.
The offense added a plethora of weapons to take the pressure off his shoulders, while the defense is the best it’s been in a years with the likes of TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick leading the way.
With Pickett on his rookie deal, the Steelers are in an ideal situation to invest in other pieces around him to try to contend right away. That’s why they brought in free agents Nate Herbig on the offensive line, Patrick Peterson at cornerback, and Allen Robinson at wide receiver to complement draft picks Joey Porter Jr., Broderick Jones, and Darnell Washington.
Everything’s in place. Look for Pickett to lead the Steelers back to the playoffs this season – and there’s no slump in sight.
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