Numbers Show Kenny Pickett Has Had A Flawless Preseason

Two years after the retirement of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in the wilderness, but they feel they may have found a way out already.

They have a solid wide receiver duo in Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, a promising running back in Najee Harris, and a decent quarterback prospect in Kenny Pickett.

No one is necessarily expecting Pickett to be the second coming of Roethlisberger or Terry Bradshaw, but there is hope he will pan out.

Per Pro Football Focus, Pickett led five offensive drives during the preseason, and all five of them ended up with the Steelers scoring a touchdown.

Kenny Pickett this preseason:

? 5 drives
? 5 touchdowns

(?: @steelers) pic.twitter.com/YwtmEMGNKO

— PFF (@PFF) August 24, 2023

Last season as a rookie, Pickett threw for 2,404 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions and posted a passer rating of 76.7.

While those numbers seem very poor, he threw eight of those nine picks in his first five games, and from that point on, he played a lot better overall.

Pittsburgh won six of their last seven games, which is something that can allow them to feel some optimism moving forward.

A playoff appearance this season seems extremely unlikely, especially given the insane amount of depth throughout the AFC, but they can establish the foundation for success in the not-so-distant future.

A big asset they have on their side is head coach Mike Tomlin, their last real link to their last Super Bowl championship team during the 2008 season.

In 16 seasons at the helm of the Steelers, Tomlin has never finished with a losing record, and his experience coaching Roethlisberger should serve Pickett well.

NEXT: 
Former NFL MVP Believes 1 Steelers Player Could Have Big Season