Steelers Zach Gentry On Team Growth, How Pickett Stole His Job and Which Team He Cannot Stand

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Zach Gentry just finished his fourth season with the team. He joined the hosts of the Steel Here Podcast, Kevin Adams and Jersey Jerry, to discuss the 2022 season and what the future has in store for him. 

Steelers Gentry Made His Mark

Gentry, a fifth-round draft pick, is wrapping up the fourth year of his rookie contract. Teamed up with fellow tight end, Pat Freiermuth, he has made his mark. 

Gentry has developed into more of a blocking tight end, while Freiermuth is more of a catching tight end. The two of them have played a lot together in the past two seasons. Gentry had 1,050 offensive snaps in the past two seasons with more than half in 2022. The blocking Gentry provided is a major contributor to the offense improving so much post-bye. 

That doesn't mean that Gentry has no role in the passing game. He has 39 catches during his career for 303 yards. He hasn't scored a touchdown yet. But he shared a funny story about that with Adams and Jerry. Gentry said there are some red zone plays, that are designed to get him the ball. During the game against the New Orleans Saints, he said he was sure this was his time. 

"Cam Jordan is lined up and I have to fire off and act like I'm run-blocking and then shed him. A play like that has worked a million times. I go to hit Cam Jordan and I'm like, 'd*mn he's not giving me much resistance for no reason.' I asked him after the game, 'yo I thought that was my big touchdown, what are you doing?' He's like, 'I just had a feeling.' I can't get in the d*mn endzone." 

The Steelers Didn't Need Pickett

Gentry was a dual-threat quarterback in high school. When he arrived at the University of Michigan, his coach Jim Harbaugh convinced him that his path was as a tight end. Adams and Jerry sarcastically asked Gentry if he was angry the Steelers drafted Pickett when they already had a dual-threat QB on the roster. 

Gentry chuckled at this one and the good sport played right along with the guys.

"I was p*issed when we drafted Kenny (laughing). I sat in there and I told everybody, I was like, 'dude we don't need to draft a single guy, you got your franchise guy right here. You've been sitting on him, right now he's in his rookie deal.'"

Gentry marveled over the rookie's development and said that the team knew Pickett was going to be "the guy" and that it was great to see him transform at the end of the season. 

"We saw somebody who looked just so much more comfortable, always so poised in the huddle, in the pocket. Pickett always impressed me so much even early in the year."

The offensive line was another area of growth for the team according to Gentry.

"We got an offensive line that was dominating people the second half of the year. Running just inside zones and moving people back. It was good to see us transform into something that we wanted to be. Early we didn't really have an identity."

Steelers Gentry Announces Who He Can't Stand

Recently Gentry's teammate Friermuth was on Steel Here and told the guys which team he hates the most. They asked Gentry the same question.

"I'm gonna have to agree with Pat but when it comes to like a team, the Bengals. You know I hate to say what he said but it's just true. There's a lot of talking on the field and we play them it seems a little more physical. The Ravens are the same way but it's different, it feels like there's a bit more respect there between the Ravens and the Steelers on the field. A little less jawing maybe, but definitely physical."

While Gentry's future with the team might be uncertain, one thing is for sure, he is a player with a lot of heart and a great sense of humor.