Kenny Pickett zips TD pass to Pat Freiermuth, gives Steelers life

It isn’t over yet. With 10 seconds left in the second quarter, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett connected on a three-yard dime to tight end Pat Freiermuth to cut the San Francisco 49ers’ lead to 20-7 at halftime.

The Steelers desperately needed the score. The 49ers have hogged the momentum today, rattling off 222 total yards. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh amassed a mere 77 yards of offense in the first half while also committing a turnover.

Nonetheless, with a touchdown by their side, perhaps the Steelers can make something happen in the second half.

Pickett to Freiermuth! @Steelers are on the board

📺: #SFvsPIT on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/bJjoul0An3

— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023

CBS Sports lists Kenny Pickett as breakout candidate

Although the Steelers haven’t looked excellent in their season opener, experts are hopeful for the team’s 2023 season. Most of that optimism is coming from the expected ascension by Pickett in his second season in the pros.

CBS Sports was the latest outlet to speak highly of the Steeler quarterback. That’s because Cody Benjamin deemed Pickett as one of their breakout players for this year. After a rough start as a rookie, his development and improvement that took place down the stretch of Pittsburgh’s season could continue into this fall now to put him in position for a breakout.

“At this point, Pickett’s breakout is almost an expectation rather than a prediction. But there’s reason for it: despite ugly numbers playing spoiler for an old-school Steelers team as a rookie, the hometown kid grew in gusto and crunch-time precision as 2022 wore on,” wrote Benjamin.

Benjamin also noted the overall growth of the Steeler offense and franchise around Pickett. With all the different weapons as well as a usually reliable defense on the other side of the football? Pickett could end up leading a surprisingly good team in the NFL this year.

“He’s got an improved and underrated setup to help with outlets both explosive (Jaylen Warren, George Pickens) and physical (Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth). Not to mention an ever-feisty defense,” Benjamin wrote.

Pickett finished his rookie campaign with 2,404 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions on a 63% completion rate. After Pittsburgh’s bye week, though, he really found his groove. He threw for over 1,400 of his yards, five of his touchdowns, and only one of his interceptions in his seven healthy appearances during that stretch.

His step up in play also nearly led to a complete turnaround of the Steeler’s season as they closed at 7-2, including four straight wins, after starting 2-6.

With all the other great quarterbacks in the sport, especially in his conference and division, Pickett’s numbers might not necessarily pop. Still, while that might be the case, Benjamin believes that he’ll further prove why he’s a quality young player and the perfect leader for the Steelers franchise.

“His stat line may still end up solid more than spectacular, but he’s got the makings of a scrappy winner — totally fitting for the position in Steel City,” Benjamin wrote.

On3’s Sam Gillenwater also contributed to this article.