Former DE Chris Long on Steelers QB Kenny Pickett: 'There's reason to be excited'
Former DE Chris Long spent 11 seasons of his career hunting quarterbacks. Now he's giving praise to the Steelers' rookie QB.
"I think there’s reason to be excited about Kenny Pickett," Long said on "The 33rd Team" podcast. "For a guy that you found, not at the top of the first round, but deeper in the first round, you’ve got to be pretty happy with the way he’s looked."
Pickett began his rookie season by throwing eight interceptions in five games, but he hasn't thrown one since Week 8.
"Three out of the last four weeks they’ve gotten wins," Long added. "He might be the quarterback of the future, but he’s got a really important evaluation period ahead of him."
The Steelers are on their first win streak of the year with a tough AFC North matchup up next. Pittsburgh plays a Ravens' defense who has the fourth-most takeaways (20) and eighth-most interceptions (11) in the NFL, per ESPN.com.
Pickett won't only be tested by a well-coached 8-4 Baltimore team, but he's also getting his first action in the historic rivalry.
"They’re a great team, a great opponent. There’s a lot of history in the rivalry. So, I’m excited to be a part of it on Sunday," Pickett told reporters. "The intensity’s amped up. Obviously, it’s a big week."
If Pickett can lead the 5-7 Steelers to their third-straight win, he'll build on his case to be Pittsburgh's quarterback of the future...and maybe, still have a shot at the playoffs.
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