The Steelers enter Sunday’s game in Buffalo as underdogs. Massive underdogs. Historic underdogs, in fact.
For the first time five decades, the Steelers are predicted to lose by 14 points.
But Kenny Pickett's not about that noise.
“You guys and everyone else think we’re underdogs,” Pickett said Wednesday. “But we don’t.”
Pickett doesn’t lack confidence. His belief is not just in himself, it’s also in his teammates.
“We know how great we can be when we're detailed and we execute a high level,” he said. “So that's something that we need to take care of during the week, or we won't have a shot.”
This will be Pickett’s first career start, and it comes in about as tough of an environment as you could imagine.
Buffalo is 15-4 at home since 2020, and brings in a strong defense that Pickett will have to figure out how to beat, and a dynamic offense he’ll have to keep up with.
“Obviously, it's a huge challenge,” Pickett said. “There's a lot that goes into it. We could be here all day talking about how many great things that they do, all the great players that they have. Former teammates of mine at Pitt in (defensive backs) Dane (Jackson) and Damar (Hamlin). Obviously, they're high level players and we have our work cut out for us.”
The rookie, in his debut, entered Sunday’s loss to the Jets at halftime. He tossed for 120 yards on 10 of 13 passing, but was intercepted three times. He did, however, rush for a pair of scores. Overall, he was pleased with how he played, despite being disappointed with the outcome.
“I was happy with decisions I made,” he said. “Obviously there's always things to learn from. You try to be perfect but there's always going to be things you can take away. I feel like I took away the right things and I'm going to use it going into this week.”
Following the game, plenty of players described Pickett as a ‘spark’ for the offense. It was obvious that the energy level ticked up a notch, and that was something that Pickett, in a clear act of maturity, realized was necessary before he even stepped onto the field.
“I don't like to get too high or get too low,” he said. “I know I showed some emotion out there on Sunday. I felt like we needed it. I was really able read the room, read the situation and fit the kind of leadership style that needs to be fit.”
Pickett has also done and said the right things through what’s been a difficult situation. He’s supplanting Mitch Trubisky, who has gotten the bulk of the first team reps since the spring. Now Trubisky is out, Pickett is in, and it seems the Steelers are ready to turn the page to a new era. But, with that, comes what could be an awkwardness between the two quarterbacks to start this season.
“I mean, listen, Mitch is one of the best teammates I’ve been able to come across,” Pickett said. “I’m extremely grateful to have him in this room. I supported him a ton when he was in there and he’s done the same for me. That’ll continue and we’re definitely great friends on the field and off the field. So, he’s definitely someone I’m going to lean on throughout this whole experience and he’s been nothing but great to me.”
Pickett’s view on that is a strong showing of his leadership, which has been on display in multiple forms. The Steelers hope that maturity continues as Pittsburgh enters the toughest part of its schedule, with games against Buffalo, Tampa, Miami and Philadelphia ahead.
For now, however, Pickett seems to have the belief of the other men in the locker room, and that’s obviously a great jumping off point.
“Everyone really treats each other with a lot of respect, and I think you have to earn that,” Pickett said. “It comes with work, it comes with what they're seeing you do while you're at the facility and on the practice field.
“It doesn't happen overnight. So that's something I want to continue to earn, the veteran guys’ respect, and help us go out and win games.”