Steelers Highlights: Kenny Pickett delivers multiple deep balls to top receivers

The points came quickly and easily for the Steelers starting offense against Atlanta Thursday night in another respectable performance. For the third straight week, Pittsburgh's first-string offense appeared to be a well-oiled machine as they marched down the field against the Falcons' backup defense. While this week's opponent wasn't as daunting as the Buffalo Bills last week, it was still great to see the Steelers execute to near perfection again.

Kenny Pickett and the Steelers' offense came out of the gates on fire Thursday night in their last bit of preseason action in 2023. On their first drive of the game, Pickett dialed up the deep ball multiple times for huge chunks of yardage to put Pittsburgh in position to score. After posting respectable deep ball numbers in his rookie year, Kenny Pickett looks poised to improve, and will certainly have the weapons to do it.

The Steelers would face their first third-down situation on just the third play of the game after two quick short-yardage gains. It was vital to extend the drive as the Steelers' starters were once again going to get limited play time in this final game before the regular season approaches. Kenny Pickett was fully aware and showed no fear in slinging the ball deep.

Diontae Johnson would be on the receiving end of Kenny Pickett's first shot down the field, reeling in a perfect pass for 33 yards to convert on third and five. Johnson has been one of the league's best separators since coming into the league in 2019 and continues to prove his talents year in and year out.

Thursday night was just another example. Johnson turned a smooth outside release into a quick burst as he pulled away from the defender. Pickett placed the ball right between the corner and safety over the top as Johnson pulled it in for a beautiful catch and start to the game.

Just two plays after Kenny Pickett and Diontae Johnson's sideline hook-up, Pickett made an even better throw on the other side of the field to George Pickens.

After back-to-back solid runs from the Steelers' two-headed monster of a rushing attack, Kenny Pickett launched a ball up the sideline to Pickens in a place that only he could get it. Pickens rose over very tight coverage from Atlanta's Natrone Brooks and snagged the ball away to come down with the catch.

You can add another one to George Pickens' long list of highlight-reel catches that seemingly happen every week.

The deep ball is shaping up to be a massive weapon for the Steelers' offense in 2023. Be on the lookout for more of these plays from Pittsburgh's young and talented pass attack.