The rookie life isn’t easy. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett learned this lesson the hard way.
On a recent episode of “Green Light with Chris Long,” Long asked Pickett what the hardest hit he took last season was. Pickett immediately knew the answer.
“Quinnen Williams. Easy answer. Against the Jets, I came in, and I think they ran a stunt or something, and he came in and got me right under the chin. And I got up laughing. I’ve never been hit that hard in my life.
“I’ve had concussions where I got hit off the ground. My head has hit the ground. That’s not anybody hitting me, though, per se. That’s just more of whiplash from the ground. Just full-on, standing in the pocket, though — that’s a big dude coming at you full speed.”
Yes, it is. Standing at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, Williams is a monstrous defensive tackle with insane strength. Not to mention, the Pro Bowler can top out at nearly 17 miles per hour. Ouch.
Luckily for Pickett, he isn’t alone in his experience. Williams had the 11th-most sacks in the NFL last year (12). In four NFL seasons, the former Alabama star has 27.5 sacks. While Pickett discussed the brutal hit on the play, he failed to mention he ultimately completed the pass.
Amid being crushed by Williams, Pickett completed a pass to Pat Freiermuth to bring the Jets within three yards of the goal line. The pass was one of many completions for Pickett last season. Pickett recorded 245 completions for 2,404 yards and seven touchdowns in his debut year.
Although Pickett threw nine interceptions in the campaign, it’s worth noting eight of those interceptions were in his first five appearances. Pickett isn’t afraid to admit he is a work in progress.
“So, I’m continuing to grow. It’s not going to happen overnight. I like the way that I am trending. I like the way that I’m improving and seeing things on the field, taking what I’m seeing on tape and bringing it to the field and playing with a little bit more anticipation than I was earlier in the season.
“It’s definitely a long journey,” Pickett said during a press conference ahead of Week 18 last season. “I don’t think you’re done getting better till you hang them up. So, I’m going to continue to improve every week, and just be the best player that I can be and try to get to that final result as fast as possible.”
Hopefully for Steelers fans, Pickett can avoid taking any more massive hits this season. Watch Pickett begin his second year in the NFL when the Steelers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10.
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