Steelers WR Allen Robinson praises Kenny Pickett: 'He's a leader'

The 2023 season will be Allen Robinson’s first with the Pittsburgh Steelers and first catching passes from Kenny Pickett.

Coming off a dud of a season with the Los Angeles Rams, in which the 29-year-old wideout hauled in 33 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns, Robinson is looking forward to a fresh start with Pickett. Appearing on “The Rich Eisen Show” Monday, Robinson complimented the 2022 first-round pick for his leadership.

🗣️ @AllenRobinson

“He’s a leader. He’s the guy who has great command.”

The new @steelers WR has high praise for new QB, second-year starter @kennypickett10:#NFL #HereWeGo @TomPelissero pic.twitter.com/HQDDcwnlRT

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) June 12, 2023

“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.”

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.

Steelers give Kenny Pickett another weapon in Allen Robinson

Already with Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth at his disposal, the addition of Robinson represents yet another weapon for Pickett to work with in his second season in Matt Canada’s offense. That is, if Robinson is himself again, which he hasn’t been in some time.

Limited to just 10 games last season due to foot surgery, Robinson said he’s beginning to knock the rust off in his recovery.

“Physically getting there,” Robinson said this week at OTAs. “This is the third practice that I’ve gone up against defenders in six months. For me it’s just about continuing to push myself. And make sure I’m getting accomplished on a day-to-day basis what I want I to get accomplished.

“I’ve been able to do that. Being able to knock some of the rust off on certain things, being able to get back to releases against defenders and stuff like that. For me, I’m always trying to push the dial. And trying to get things back to how I’m accustomed to being.”