Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

PFF names Steelers 2023 breakout candidate

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 1/30/23

The Steelers have their sights on next season and Pittsburgh has high hopes for many of its young players. However, Pro Football Focus revealed who fans should be most excited for in 2023.

PFF has officially named QB Kenny Pickett as the Steelers breakout candidate for the 2023 season.

PFF says Kenny Pickett will be the Steelers Breakout Candidate in 2023: Pickett’s numbers don’t look good this year, but his performance was consistently better than the statistical rewards it was reaping.
He finished the year with a PFF grade of 75.5. #Steelers #NFL
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) January 25, 2023

Pickett's rookie year had its ups and downs, but his intangibles and ability to win close games are what led to PFF selecting him.

He had 2,641 yards, 10 total touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2022. Pickett also had a 5-1 touchdown to interception ratio following the bye week to help lead Pittsburgh to 9-8 after starting the season 2-6.

Although, some may believe Pickett isn't the right pick with WR George Pickens and TE Pat Freiermuth also being viable options.

I’d argue both Pickens and Freiermuth explode next season

But that kinda falls on Matt Canadas shoulders… https://t.co/ZnCdOaEwPW
— Michael Beck (@MichaelBeck56) January 23, 2023

However, his tight end has already come to bat for him and is excited for the future.

"Kenny's a hell of a quarterback and he's the future of this organization and I'm excited for him to be my quarterback and be our leader," Freiermuth said.

Of course, the success of all of the players is on the shoulders of OC Matt Canada. But Pickett certainly looked the part at the end of the season.

Steelers fans certainly hope PFF is right in predicting Pickett's sophomore leap instead of the dreaded sophomore slump.

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