Steelers’ Kenny Pickett discusses experience working with new play-caller in Week 12
After Week 12’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett
discussed his experience working with a new play-caller for the first time in his NFL career.
Just last week, the Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada, announcing running backs coach Eddie Faulkner as the interim offensive coordinator. While Faulnker is set to handle most of the day-to-day responsibilities of the roll, quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan was responsible for calling plays
Pickett commented on his experience with a new play-caller following the Week 12
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“It’s definitely different with a new playcaller. You kind of get used to the flow of how he likes to call things, and that’s something that we’re going to continue to iron out. We felt like every drive we were having productive drives, moving the ball really well. Some penalty things and a turnover that we wish — you want to take that out. That would help us put more points up. But overall, I’m happy with how those guys played.”
When asked how Sullivan was different handling the new responsibilities, Pickett spoke glowingly of his demeanor.
He’s steady. He’s always been steady. He preaches that as quarterbacks, you have to be steady. It’s such an up-and-down game and up-and-down league. A lot goes on during the week. But he was steady — steady as always. So, it was great to have him calling the plays and always by my side but now in a different kind of aspect.
Though the Steelers still have a long way to go in order to prove themselves on offense having scored just 16 total points on the day, the productivity of the offense in terms of yardage cannot be understated. In their Week 12 win, the Steelers managed 421 net yards on offense, breaking a 58-game streak in the regular season of 400 or fewer yards dating back to Week 2 of the 2020 season.
It was a complete team effort, as Pickett finished the day with 278 passing yards, the second-most he’s had in a single game through his 23 career starts.
The Steelers will look to keep their momentum rolling into Week 13 with a matchup against the 2-10 Arizona Cardinals, who just allowed the LA Rams 457 yards and 37 points in their Week 12 loss.
