(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Kenny Pickett’s rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers received mixed reviews.
After starting the year slowly, Pickett’s play improved throughout the year, finishing the season in better fashion.
This was a reason for optimism among some NFL analysts, causing a few of them to call him a potential breakout candidate.
Pickett seems to have heard this optimism and has performed well throughout the Steelers’ preseason games.
As PFF recently highlighted, Pickett has completed nine of 11 passes, which turned into 113 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 149.1.
Kenny Pickett this preseason:
88.2 PFF grade
9/11
113 yards
2 TDs, 0 INTs
149.1 passer rating pic.twitter.com/UTU2e0cmYt
— PFF (@PFF) August 20, 2023
If Pickett can bring similar numbers to full games with the Steelers, he’s in for a greatly improved year.
When seeing these numbers, fans are torn about what they mean for Pickett moving forward.
Steelers haters looking for something new to hate on since “small hands” clearly isn’t working
— George Pickens Burner (@Casson_MD) August 20, 2023
Let Them Sleep!
— AZSteelcity58 (@ASteelcity58) August 20, 2023
As one fan highlights, many are still against Pickett, even after seeing his preseason performances.
Another called out the Steelers’ haters, saying their argument for Pickett’s “small hands” is no longer valid.
While some fans were happy to see these stats, others provided caution to their excitement.
Preseason means zero for all players except rookies drafted in rounds 5 nd later or udfa’s.
— NJMiller (@rintinsoldier) August 20, 2023
Preseason MVP. That’s how bad it’s gotten in Pittsburgh.
— jake wagner (@thesnake2106) August 21, 2023
Before giving Pickett praise, both of these fans would like to see him perform similarly during the regular season.
If he can do so, Pickett will have a lot of receipts to show those who initially doubted him.
Pickett is the Steelers’ first attempt at a franchise quarterback since the departure of Ben Roethlisberger.
He has big shoes to fill, given the consistent dominance Roethlisberger brought to the field.
If he succeeds, the city of Pittsburgh will rally around him, similar to what they did with Big Ben.
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