Sean Payton: Steelers QB Kenny Pickett 'certainly has it'

Analysts at several networks have looked at Pickett’s play since he became the starter in Week 5. It started out inconsistent, which is what anyone would expect from a first-year quarterback who didn’t get a ton of first-team reps in practice during the regular season. Since the bye week, however, he has thrown four touchdowns to just one interception and has facilitated the offense in an impressive turnaround.

Former New Orleans Saints‘ Super Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton joined Colin Cowherd on The Herd and the two discussed Pickett and what the offensive guru, who is likely to be a coach again within the next year or so, has seen from him thus far. He spoke about his presence on the football field:

“I see football intelligence. I see someone who processes quickly. He certainly has it,” Payton said.

Payton continued complimenting Pickett and specifically talked about how he can see that the people on the sidelines and in the locker room believe in him:

“When we try to find intangibles with his teammates, you can tell. You can watch a quarter of a game and you can tell his teammates think he has it. You could see Mike Tomlin when he came off [the field following the game-winning drive against the Ravens] like, ‘Kenny F’n Pickett.'”

Many believed the Steelers drafted Pickett because they were familiar enough with him after he worked within the same building at the University of Pittsburgh. Tomlin has acknowledged that to be a fact throughout the season and Payton said it was a huge advantage:

“When you share a building, which is unique, the Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh, and you have that much access to personality, skill set, all the other intangibles, that’s invaluable.”

Pickett hasn’t been anywhere near perfect this season. He has 2,209 yards passing and has tossed six touchdowns to nine interceptions. Despite having a stat line that isn’t eye-popping, the first year for an NFL quarterback either is spent on the bench or developing in a starting role. Payton’s words should be very encouraging to Steelers fans. He was one of the best offensive minds in football for a long time and him saying that Pittsburgh’s new franchise guy "has it" is incredibly comforting.