4 Steelers poised for monster breakout seasons in 2023

1. QB Kenny Pickett

Without a doubt, the number one biggest breakout candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers has to be quarterback, Kenny Pickett. The former Pitt product was the team's first-round pick in 2022, and his career got off to a rocky start when he was thrown to the wolves at halftime of Week 4 against the New York Jets.

However, it didn't take him long to learn how to take care of the football and get his team in a position to win games. Thanks largely to two clutch, game-winning drives against the Raiders and Ravens late in the 2022 season, Pickett led his team to a 6-1 record as a starter following the bye week (not counting the first game against the Ravens in which he left the contest after just one throw).

Pickett still has a long way to go in terms of reading defenses, and he must convert in the red zone at a higher rate. If he's able to do this in his second season, everyone in the organization will benefit from his improvement.

Pickett doesn't have an elite arm by NFL standards, but he could make up for it with his moxie, leadership, and ability to extend the play with his legs and throw on the run. Whether you were a fan of the Pickett selection in the draft last year or not, his potential leap in 2023 should have Steelers fans excited.