Steelers Rookie QB1 Kenny Pickett Getting Actively Involved In Play-Calling

Late in the third quarter, the Colts drove down the field capped with Matt Ryan finding Michael Pittman for a 6-yard score and a 17-16 lead. Pittsburgh needed a response and according to offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, Pickett was providing his input on the play-calling during the drive where Benny Snell punched the ball in from 2 yards out and take back the lead.

Canada said via Jeff Hathhorn of 93.7 the Fan that the first play the team ran on that drive from the Indianapolis three-yard line, which Pickett completed to Derek Watt for a 1-yard gain, was a play that the 24-year-old had asked for. Then after missing Diontae Johnson on a run-pass option, the quarterback and play-caller had a chance to talk things over before a critical third down.

On the next play, “he either wanted to hand it off or take it himself,” the former University of Maryland interim head coach said and Pickett made the call to hand it to Benny Snell Jr. for the go-ahead score.

The Steelers running attack continues to gain momentum even when Najee Harris went down this week and Snell and Anthony McFarland Jr. had to carry the load. With the second-highest rushing yard total a team has put up against the Colts this year, and a string of games where they’ve run the ball with much better efficiency, they’ve earned more praise. At the end of the day however, the league is a passing league and the quarterback is at the center of that.

“Our plan has always been a quarterback-driven offense no matter who the quarterback is,” Canada said Thursday. “What he likes, that’s what you want to do. We’re big believers in the quarterback having good confidence. If a play is coming in that he’s not going to like, then it’s going to be hard to execute.”

The key to this plan succeeding is communication. It’s obvious the communication between Canada and Pickett is starting to reach a good level where the rookie’s input is being seriously considered in the play-caller’s decisions.

The other communication that’s been key in Pickett’s rise of play has been with the other players on the offense. Canada said that as the New Jersey native gets more reps with the first team, “familiarity has been a bigger part” of the evolution of the game plan.

It has not reached Ben Roethlisberger levels of drawing your own plays up in the dirt to drive the team in the fourth quarter to claw into a playoff race, but the fact that Pickett is offering his opinion and having it heard by Canada is allowing the Pittsburgh offense to work better.

So, Steeler Nation, do you think it’s good that Pickett is getting more of a voice when it comes to decision-making? Do you like Canada’s comments on Pickett offering more of his opinion?