Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback wants to be a great player in the NFL. So much so that according to former NFL offensive lineman turned color commentator on Fox, Mark Schlereth, the team has given him his own office.
The former Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos guard and center had just worked Pittsburgh’s Week 10 win over the New Orleans Saints over the weekend and joined The Herd with Colin Cowherd to discuss his thoughts on whether Pittsburgh has found themselves a new franchise signal caller in the former University of Pittsburgh star.
“I know this from having a conversation with Mike Tomlin last week,” he said to host Colin Cowherd. “He’s like ‘man, he’s (Pickett) got an insatiable desire to be good. He puts in the work so much so that we gave him an office up where the coaches are so he can sit in there and focus. He doesn’t have to come up to ask us questions. We’re right here supporting him.'”
Earlier in the year, former coaching great from the organization now a CBS analyst, Bill Cowher called out how the team was managing the rookie quarterback and was worried about the effects of a rough start to the year on his confidence.
The gesture of giving him his own space near the coaches so he can work closely with them on improving his game week by week has got to be a good confidence booster. Pickett has already shown a lot of maturity in his comments in assessing where he and the team were at during the bye week.
Steelers Prioritizing Pickett’s Development
Having him close by will allow Pittsburgh’s coaches, especially quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan, to keep a watchful eye on his development and allow them to be hands-on to ensure they keep seeing the growth they need to see for the Oakhurst, NJ native in his first pro season.
Schlereth said he thinks the organization is thrilled with the potential but becoming an NFL franchise quarterback takes time.
“I think they’re enamoured with what he could become but that’s a process like any other,” the three-time SuperBowl champion said. “I think Kenny Pickett is a guy that needs to learn like all young quarterbacks.”
There’s no questioning the drive that the 24-year-old has to want to succeed. Shortly after he was drafted 20th overall by Pittsburgh in the 2022 draft he showed off his confidence and desire to be the best via Teresa Varley of Steelers.com.
“When I get out there on the field, I just feel like I’m the best player,” the 2021 Heisman Tryophy finalist said. “I’m confident because of how hard I’ve worked to get to the point and how prepared I am. I’ll do anything, absolutely anything to win. I think that’s the number one key for the quarterback position. I think all the great ones have that or had that.”
His work ethic is off the charts and the first step in becoming great is putting in the effort to strive for it. The Steelers giving him his own office is just proof they want to do all they can to help him achieve more greatness both on the field and at every other stadium across the league.
So, Steeler Nation, what do you think about giving him his own space close to the coaches? Have you seen positive development from Pickett? Do you think he has what it takes to be great in the NFL?
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