5 nightmare scenarios for Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023

1. Kenny Pickett doesn't take a step forward

From a futuristic perspective, the development of QB Kenny Pickett might be every bit as important during the 2023 season as anything else. Pickett showed flashes of a franchise quarterback but still finished near the bottom of the league in important categories like yards per attempt and adjusted yards.

What would be as concerning as anything else is if we get through the 2023 season without seeing a notable step forward from Pickett. In today's NFL, so much of a team's success lives and dies with the quarterback, and you're only going to get so far without a respectable signal-caller.

Pickett has the motivation, leadership, and moxie that every team desires from their lead man, but that doesn't make him a lock to take a step forward in his second season in 2023.

If he doesn't, there's going to be legitimate cause for concern moving forward. In an AFC crowded with talented young quarterbacks, the Pittsburgh Steelers can't afford to have a quarterback who will hold them back. Pickett needs to show fans as early as this year that he's a legitimate franchise quarterback, or it could be back to square one for this team.