During the offseason, you started to hear the subtle drumbeat of a potential breakout season upon the horizon in 2023. Going through OTAs and minicamp, players and coaches for the Pittsburgh Steelers increased the volume of that beat, talking about Pickett’s progression on the field as well as a leader in the huddle and in the locker room. That drumbeat become full force once the preseason arrived as Pickett was literally perfect through three games, posting a perfect passer rating as the Steelers scored five touchdowns on all five drives he was in the game.
Pickett, by all intents and purposes, was the best quarterback in the preseason, looking night-and-day better than the rookie we saw getting his feet wet in the league last season.