Kenny Pickett overflows with confidence
One of the most encouraging takeaways early at Steelers training camp is that Kenny Pickett simply overflows with confidence. Compared to what we saw from him at the start of his first training camp in 2022, there is a night and day difference.
Unlike last year, Pickett looks insanely confident while remaining cool, calm, and collected in the pocket. Instead of tucking the ball and looking to escape, the second-year quarterback has been keeping his head up and eyes down the field while looking to make plays while escaping the pressure.
This has worked out well so far. Though Pickett obviously hasn't been perfect, he has made some big plays down the field and routinely shows his ability to extend the play and throw accurately on the run. The start that he has had in his first four practices is exactly what we were all hoping to see.
Pickett can't let off the gas pedal now. When the pads come on, he needs to show continued improvement. The good thing is that confidence clearly is not the issue. Pickett is commanding the offense and earning the respect of his teammates. Let's hope he can keep up the intensity and follow this up with a massive breakout season in 2023.