Sean Payton gives his take on Kenny Pickett

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

Sean Payton gives his take on Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 1/6/23

QB Kenny Pickett has been a hot topic in the NFL. Now, former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has joined in with his take on the Steelers rookie.

"I see football intelligence. I see someone who processes quickly. He certainly has it," Payton told Colin Cowherd on "The Herd." "You can watch a quarter of a game and can tell what his teammates think."

Sean Payton on Kenny Pickett : “He Certainly has it.” #kennypickett #steelers #seanpayton #pittsburgh #pitt #nfl pic.twitter.com/xKttH4t4tr
— matthew luciow (@Luciow1992) January 4, 2023

Pickett has helped turn the Steelers' season around after starting 2-6. With an 8-8 record heading into Week 18, Pittsburgh has a shot at the postseason.

The 24-year-old quarterback was the only quarterback taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, falling to the Steelers at 20th overall.

Some viewed the pick as a reach, but it may just turn out to be a steal. And it was Pittsburgh's facility that gave the Steelers the confidence to draft him where they did.

"When you share a building, which is unique, the Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh, and you have that much access to personality, skillset, all the other intangibles, that's invaluable," Payton added.

Pickett continues to get better every week, posting a Pro Football Focus grade of 92.4 for his Week 17 play, the best single game by a Steelers quarterback since Week 13 of 2015.

Kenny Pickett's 92.4 PFF grade vs the Ravens was the best in a single game by a Steelers QB since Week 13 of 2015 (Ben Roethlisberger, 93.4 vs the Colts) pic.twitter.com/hx6wLmWgIr
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) January 5, 2023