Kenny Pickett: It was my throws, not decision-making or scheme, that led to Steelers’ bad loss
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Now that he’d had 72 hours to digest the ghastly 30-7 letdown of season-opening loss, Kenny Pickett on Wednesday cleared the mental side of culpability.
It was all physical that ailed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense Sunday, Pickett said, referencing the players on offense in general and himself — and his throws — in particular.
“I wouldn’t say it was too much (a need for) adjusting; we just didn’t play well,” Pickett said after practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “We didn’t execute it near what we need to be. So, you know, keep the preparation the same. I thought the preparation for the week was good. Just about going out there, playing well and executing.”
The offense had 1 net yard through five possessions and 28 minutes of game time, and it scored on only one drive. Pickett had two interceptions among his 46 throws, and his yards per attempt (5.0) ranked 27th among the 32 NFL Week 1 starting quarterbacks. His yards per completion (7.5) ranked 26th, his passer rating (68.4) also 26th and his QBR of 23.8 was 22nd.
“I was good with my decisions,” Pickett said. “It was just throwing and the execution.”
Pickett, on whole Sunday, appeared less at ease than he was late during his 2022 rookie season and during this training camp and preseason. He missed open receivers on at least three objective occasions and had a potential third interception dropped.
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He acknowledged “a couple” throws that he was well off on against the 49ers that he believes he typically would not miss.
“It was just off a little bit,” Pickett said of the performance. “Can’t explain why. You know, felt good going into it. It happens when you’re playing in the NFL. I’m itching to get back out there on Monday and play.”
Pickett repeatedly referenced the proverbial “24-hour rule” that says players limit themselves to a day’s worth of rumination of a completed game — win or lose, good or bad — before putting it behind them and looking ahead to the next game.
That next game comes Monday night at home against the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns. Pickett was steadfast that the Week 1 stinker hasn’t wavered his belief in himself or his teammates.
“Confidence in myself, the team, the guys around me,” Pickett said. “You know, I know everyone’s going to answer the bell. We’re going to come out and play on Monday. So, love the energy we have around here. Love the practice that we had today. Everyone’s putting their best foot forward this week. So, it’s just about going out there Monday night, competing and winning.”
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