The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be heading for an offseason full of changes, with many divided on whether or not quarterback should be one of them.
Despite being 14-10 as the Steelers’ starter the last two seasons, Kenny Pickett is averaging just 179 yards per game with a passer rating of 78.8 and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of one.
While many are doubting Pickett’s ability to be a franchise quarterback, four-time Super Bowl champion Terry Bradshaw is not one of them. During an appearance on “Fox NFL Sunday,” Bradshaw defended Pickett, saying the Steelers need to surround him with a better supporting cast if he is to succeed.
Pickett hasn’t played since Dec. 3, but he’s been chastised this season for his lack of progress since his rookie season.
According to Pro Football Reference, he’s averaging 12.4 fewer passing yards per game this year, with a lower completion percentage and a higher percentage of dropbacks resulting in sacks.
Pickett has thrown for the fewest touchdowns (six) and yards (2,070) among QBs with 350 or more dropbacks, with the fifth-worst completion percentage (62) and passer rating (81.4) and the sixth-lowest yards per pass attempt (6.4), according to PFF.
While some of Pickett’s inconsistency can be attributed to recently fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada, to Bradshaw’s point, he’s spent much of the last two seasons playing behind a mediocre offensive line.
According to Pro Football Focus, Pittsburgh’s offensive line has allowed 172 pressures, 126 hurries, 31 sacks, and 28 QB hits this season, with the two tackle positions accounting for 101 pressures and 15 sacks.
Broderick Jones of Georgia was selected 14th overall by the Steelers in the 2023 draft. If they stick to their current draft range (10-18), they could take Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga, Alabama’s J.C. Latham, Georgia’s Amarius Mims, Duke’s Graham Barton, or Washington’s Troy Fautanu.
