Patrick Peterson believes 2023 Steelers success will rest squarely on QB Kenny Pickett

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to go far in 2023, it’ll be contingent on the play of second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, newly-signed cornerback Patrick Peterson told Jim Rome this week.

.@P2 says the Steelers have the pieces they need to make a Super Bowl run, it all comes down to how far Kenny Pickett can take them. pic.twitter.com/mOVhw5yenZ

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 15, 2023

“I believe he is a guy that we can rely on, a guy who we can count on,” Peterson said. “Now it’s going to all fall on him if he can go out there. And show us what he’s capable of doing.”

The 32-year-old, who signed a two-year deal worth $14 million with the Steelers this offseason, added he believes the team has all the pieces they need on the defensive side of the ball to compete. Throw in an offensive cast which includes Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth, and the Steelers should have every shot to improve upon their 9-8 record from this past season.

But again, it’ll come down to Pickett making the necessary plays and taking a jump in 2023. 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.

Kenny Pickett praised for leadership

The 2022 first-round pick has been lauded for his leadership, with Robinson, another addition this offseason, heaping praise on Pickett this week.

“The number one thing that sticks out to me aside from his talent is he’s a leader,” Robinson said. “He’s a guy who has great command. And seeing the command that he has of a team as a second-year player is pretty remarkable. You don’t see too many guys take the bull by the horns as he’s able to do that… That’s meeting wise, that’s pre practice, that’s post practice — getting throws in after [practice]. It typically takes longer for guys to go through that maturation process and learn to take what they need and learn how to get some extra reps in and steal some reps here and there.

“He’s already on top of that. He’s been on top of that since day one that I got here and it’s fun to see. Being out there with him each and every day. We all as an entire unit have been progressing and that’s exactly what we want.”