Steelers' Cameron Heyward has big expectations for Kenny Pickett

Count Pittsburgh Steelers veteran defensive end Cameron Heyward among big-time believers in quarterback Kenny Pickett this summer. 

"Going into the second year of our quarterback, the sky's the limit for him," Heyward said about Pickett during an appearance on the "3 and Out" podcast, as shared by Nick Shook of the NFL's website. "I think Kenny's done a tremendous job to get us to this point. But I know he's chomping at the bit for more. He's a hungry quarterback and to surround him with a lot of moving parts, whether that's another wide receiver in Allen Robinson or more depth at the O-line, and I think just solidifying that group can do wonders for him. If he has time back there and [is] able to process a little bit more, I think he's going to have a lot of success going forward."

Pittsburgh spent overall choice No. 20 to land Pickett during the 2022 NFL Draft and initially sat him behind Mitchell Trubisky. In total, Pickett went 7-5 as a starter and completed 63.0% of 389 pass attempts for 2,404 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. According to ESPN stats, he finished the regular season ranked 19th (tied with Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals) among eligible players with a 51.5 adjusted QBR, and Pickett also recorded 237 rushing yards and three scores on 55 carries. 

Only one of Pickett's interceptions occurred after Week 8, which indicates he grew more comfortable under center through early January. Heyward suggested the version of Pickett who guided the Steelers to late-season game-winning drives over the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens needs to begin contests for Pittsburgh starting when the club opens the upcoming campaign versus the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10. 

"...Every time we've needed a big drive at the end of a game, he was able to answer the call and answer the bell," Heyward said of Pickett. "I just look forward to him not waiting for the fourth quarter, let's get off the bus doing that. I think we'll have a lot more success that way."