Kenny Pickett hoping to master Steelers offense during second year in Pittsburgh

Kenny Pickett has a lofty goal for himself as he enters his second season starting under center for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Speaking recently with former NFL defensive end Chris Long on his “Green Light” podcast, the 2022 first-round pick said he wants to “master” the Steelers’ offense in 2023.

“I just want to master our system,” Pickett said, via Steelers Depot. “You know, I go into a second year, I feel like this spring I took really command of our offense and what we’re doing and being heavily involved in what coach [Matt] Canada and coach [Mike] Tomlin on what I like [and] what I don’t like to kind of tailor our offense to what I do best [and] what our guys around me do best, and what we want to do from a schematic standpoint. I really want to master our system and run the show. So that’s what I’m working towards.”

Pickett guided the Steelers to a 7-5 record in 13 starts in 2022. He threw for 2,404 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions on 63.0% passing. Pickett added 237 yards and three scores on the ground.

The 25-year-old has been lauded for his leadership by teammates such as newly-signed wideout Allen Robinson, who mentioned Pickett’s “command” of the team.

“Coming in seeing Kenny now going into his second season, the command that he has for a second-year player is awesome,” Robinson said on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week, per NBC Sports. “I personally feel like you don’t get a chance to see guys that young with a command that strong as far as leading us, getting guys together, throwing after watching film. Across the board, very experienced. It’s been fun to see and it’s been fun to be a part of.”

Kenny Pickett gives the honest truth about what Mike Tomlin is really about

Pickett knows he has to bring the energy coming into the building with Mike Tomlin as his head coach.

It’s that energy that Tomlin has become synonymous for, and you could argue has contributed to his success since taking over as Steelers head coach in 2007. Show up to the building lacking “juice,” however, and you might see another side of Tomlin, Pickett told Long.

“Show up with some juice,” Pickett said. “Play the game how it’s supposed to be played. If he doesn’t see that, he’ll get on some guys.”

Pickett added Tomlin is “all about business” and the best football mind he’s ever been around.

“Business, man,” Pickett said. “When he’s in the building, he’s about business. But when you talk to him one-on-one behind closed doors, he’s down to Earth. He’s honest with you [and] you know where you stand. There’s no one that has any questions about him or his motives [or] what he’s about. He’s about winning and he puts everything into it. His breakdowns of teams. His IQ of the game of defensive and offensive football is the best I’ve ever been around.”