Kenny Pickett Backed By Tomlin Despite Interceptions
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is full of praise for Kenny Pickett despite an unstable start to his starting career.
Throughout the first four games of his career, Kenny Pickett has thrown seven interceptions. In doing so he became the first Pittsburgh rookie since Terry Bradshaw with over 5 interceptions in their first four games.
The exalted company doesn’t end there. Since 1990, Peyton Manning is the only other first-round quarterback to throw three plus interceptions in two of his first four games.
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Despite the fun comparisons, it hasn’t been fun on the field for Kenny Pickett and the Steelers. They’re currently 2-5, which marks their worst start to a season since 2013. Pickett has had at least one interception in three of his four games.
“He’s playing and playing to win,” Tomlin said Tuesday.
“There’s some things to be learned, but they’re not producing unusual conversations between he and I regarding that.
“We’ve got to take care of the ball every week,” Tomlin said. “That’s our mindset. In terms of our agenda, our preparedness, our focus, how we develop our plan and his role in it, ball security is a significant component week in and week out.”
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“He is a fish in water. It’s a natural act for him. He is a competitor. He’s got a thirst for it,” Tomlin said. “It’s been fun being in those circumstances. Obviously, we’d like the outcomes to be different. But communicating with him professionally, watching him operate, watching his demeanor, his approach to those circumstances is exciting and refreshing.”
