5 reasons to be excited about the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Kenny Pickett is poised to take a big leap in year two

More important than anything else this year is the progress that Kenny Pickett will make in year two. As I'm sure you are well aware, much of a team's success hinges on the play of the quarterback. I don't think it's any coincidence that the best QBs in the league typically make it to the post-season (and even compete in the Super Bowl).

Pickett will never be Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. He just doesn't have that type of freakish arm talent. But that certainly doesn't mean that he can't be one of the better quarterbacks in this league. The signs so far point to a sizeable second-year leap. Pickett was fantastic in the preseason and he's overflowing with confidence heading into year two.

The former first-round pick doesn't look gunshy at all. Throughout training camp and the preseason, Pickett has been confidently slinging the pigskin down the field and has consistently made tight-window throws.

Many Steelers fans worried that Pickett would have a limited ceiling. Though his arm talent will cap out at a certain point, he certainly appears to have the moxie, the accuracy, and the mobility in and out of the pocket to be a franchise quarterback. His suspected leap in year two is the biggest thing Pittsburgh Steelers fans should be excited about this year.