Kenny Pickett identifies differences in timing with receivers at NFL level

Transitioning from college to the NFL isn’t easy, especially for quarterbacks. On Tuesday, Steelers QB Kenny Pickett broke down one of the biggest differences between the two leagues.

“Being able to throw guys open in the NFL versus having guys open in college, I think it’s something that you gotta, you know, it’s really timing and understanding your receivers, and it’s something that you know we spend a lot of time with together here, so I feel definitely comfortable doing that with our guys,” Pickett told the media.

Pickett showed off that comfort last season after a slow start. The former Pitt quarterback recorded 245 completions for 2,404 yards and seven touchdowns in his debut season. However, he also only threw seven touchdowns to nine interceptions.

Pickett particularly showed off his connection with wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Johnson led the Steelers with 882 receiving yards in 2022. Meanwhile, Pickens collected the most receiving touchdowns on the team with four.

Pickett believes his connection has only grown with his receivers this offseason.

“I felt like I had an understanding of it’s just different. Guys are different, you know. Everyone runs routes differently. Their speeds are different, and understanding that, I think, is the biggest, biggest key,” Pickett said.

The Steelers desperately need to see improvement. Last season, the team recorded just 200.6 passing yards per contest, ranking 24th in the league. Consequently, the team finished with a 9-8 record, missing the NFL Playoffs.

Pickett doesn’t plan on letting fans down again.

“Yeah, a lot more comfortable than last season, obviously,” Pickett said. “I think we did a good job with spring and building on those things, and I think it kind of showed out there in the first week with how smooth we were running. There were no — guys were where they needed to be and I thought it was pretty cool and pretty crisp, you know, all being for the first week.

“I mean just go out there and win. You can give expectations for numbers and stuff like that. But I just want to go out there and win,” Pickett said. “Whatever that takes, whatever those numbers look like? That’s all I’m focused on.”

The Steelers’ training camp began on July 27 and will run until Aug. 17. As usual, the team is holding the camp in Latrobe, Pa., at Saint Vincent College. The Steelers will begin their 2023 journey against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10.