Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett finally provided fans with a highlight on Wednesday afternoon with an impressive two-minute drill.
The pressure on Pickett, at this juncture, is not fair. But it comes with the territory.
Pickett went to college in Pittsburgh, and though his high school is in Monmouth County, New Jersey, he’s looked at as a local product since Steelers fans are so familiar with him. When he was drafted in the first round, the reaction was a positive one, with draft parties across the Steel City erupting in approval.
This, finally, was the chance to right the wrong of not selecting then-Pitt product Dan Marino — or at least that’s what Steelers fans though.
The actual process of creating a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback is far tougher than just talk, however.
Steelers: Kenny Pickett’s struggles are well documented
Pickett’s training camp experience has been a whirlwind. Like most rookie quarterbacks, he’s struggled to adjust to a new offense at the professional level.
Unlike most rookie quarterbacks, he hasn’t received the same sort of backing or praise one might expect from the organization which drafted him. Pittsburgh lists Pickett as third string, behind both Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. While both of those players have plenty of NFL experience, Steelers fans were hoping Pickett would at the very least outperform the latter.
Neither Trubisky nor Rudolph inspire much confidence, either. Yet, there still might be some hope. Pickett’s practice on Wednesday features a rare glimpse of hope in the form of a two-minute drive.
There is some positivity in Pittsburgh after all in terms of the productivity of their first-round draft pick.
Eventually, Pickett will get his chance. But it’s unknown if that will be in the preseason opener this week.