Mike Tomlin: 'We're gonna need more' from Kenny Pickett

The Steelers are 6-3 and in a prime spot to fight for a playoff spot. But Mike Tomlin needs more from second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Pittsburgh currently is second behind the 7-3 Ravens in the jam packed AFC North. They face the 6-3 Browns this week. The Steelers won the first game, 26-22. But the way they won the game was telling. The defense scored two touchdowns.

That’s probably why Kenny Pickett was on Tomlin’s mind on Tuesday when he conducted his weekly press conference.

“We’re gonna need more, particularly as this road narrows,” Tomlin told reporters. “But guys like Kenny and myself, we’re measured by wins and losses. He and I talk about that often and openly. We know what our jobs are. Our jobs are to win. And so that’s where we are, that’s where our focus is.”

Tomlin continued: “I love the fact that he embraces that. Down in and down out, are there some things to work on? Certainly. But it’s not like we’re going to start on Wednesday working on those things. We’ve been working on those things and we’ll continue until we get the desired result.”

With Kenny Pickett under center, every opponent has outgained Steelers this season

The Steelers continued a not-so-good offensive streak in their win against the Packers. For the ninth straight game this season, the opposing offense outgained Pittsburgh. In this case, the Packers put up 399 yards to the Steelers’ 324. Pittsburgh became the 34th different team to go the first half of a season being outgained by every team it faced. But they’re also the first of the 34 to post a winning record during the string. Give thanks to a tenacious defense and some fortunate offensive plays.

But there is a glimmer of hope that an offense is improving. After all, the Steelers scored on their first three drives to take a 17-7 lead over the Packers. Until earlier this month, Pittsburgh hadn’t even scored a touchdown on its opening drive this season.

The Steelers’ rushing offense was effective, with Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris running for a collective 193 yards.

But the passing part of the Pittsburgh offense continues to struggle for consistency. That’s where Kenny Pickett can improve. He hasn’t thrown an interception in his past five games. So that’s good. But at the same time, he’s not putting up flashy passing stats. He’s completed only two TD passes in his past five games. Against the Packers, Pickett completed 14 of his 23 passes for an underwhelming 126 yards. And he hasn’t passed for more than 160 yards in his past three starts. His best passing day for the season was the 235 yards he threw for against the Raiders.

Statistically, he’s near the bottom of the NFL quarterbacks, ranking 26th in passing yards and 25th in passer rating. He’s also 28th in TD passes.

But as Tomlin said, Kenny Pickett and the head coach are judged by wins and losses and not stats. But there’s always room for improvement.