Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger contends that the Pittsburgh Steelers present an optimal destination for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, largely due to his belief that Kenny Pickett isn’t suited to the offensive style of new coordinator Arthur Smith.
Spielberger emphasizes that Cousins represents a clear upgrade over Pickett, without question. Another significant factor in Spielberger’s argument for the Steelers as Cousins’ potential landing spot is his assessment that Pickett doesn’t align well with Smith’s offensive scheme.
“While acknowledging the possibility of adaptation, Spielberger notes a stark disparity between Smith’s historical approach and the tendencies of Pickett and the current offense,” said the PFF analyst.
Spielberger cites specific elements such as outside zone runs and play-action passes as illustrative examples. He points out that the Steelers ranked unfavorably in both metrics with Pickett at the helm last season, contrasting sharply with Smith’s Falcons, who excelled in these areas, ranking in the top two in 2023.
As the Steelers contemplate their quarterback situation, they may soon face a critical decision regarding Pickett’s future role within the team.
Even without relying on Spielberger’s analysis, it’s easy to see why many would believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers would benefit from having Kirk Cousins instead of persisting with Kenny Pickett.
The Steelers have had ample opportunity to assess Pickett’s performance, having seen him in action for 25 games, including 24 starts over two NFL seasons. In that time, Pickett has managed to accumulate 4,474 passing yards but has struggled to find the end zone, with only 13 touchdown passes compared to 13 interceptions.
In the 2023 season, the Steelers’ offense was notably lackluster, ranking among the weakest in the league. They averaged just 17.8 points per game, placing them 28th in the NFL, and their passing game fared similarly poorly, averaging only 187.8 yards per outing, which ranked them 25th in the league. These statistics underscore the team’s pressing need for improvement in the quarterback position.
Leave a Reply