PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While he notes many of us were wondering what was going on before the clerical mistake was corrected Tuesday morning and the Steelers swapped the back-up and third string quarterbacks, Kenny Pickett was not. The rookie QB said he found out previously he was going to be the second-team and was not caught up in the mistake.
"I trust Coach Tomlin a lot when he told the team," Pickett said. "It was what it was now. What was released. I was ok. I'm sure you guys had a field day with that."
"I was good with it. It happens."
Pickett is the back-up, no more errors. Also, no surprise to the Pitt star he isn't starting.
"I was kind of expecting it to be that way," Pickett said. "Mitch has done a great job, I was running with the twos and threes all camp. I feel like I was doing a great job of getting better and that's what I will continue to do going into the regular season."
He believes really learning how to prepare in the professional game is what helped him get better, really practice to practice from the start of off-season workouts. Probably like learning how to study in school, once you figured it out, you can translate it into results.
"It's something I want to continue to improve on, my off-field study," Pickett said. "This is my first true game week in the NFL. I'm just taking it in stride, just want to keep improving in that area so if my number is called, I'm ready to go."
How does he continue to move forward without those in-stadium experiences? Or even the brief first-team reps he had in camp?
"I think it's mentally more than anything," Pickett said. "In meetings I'm asking questions, I'm taking notes. I'm dialed into the game plan as if I'm the starter so when that time comes, if it ever does this season. I will be ready for that day."
Like his first season with the Panthers, Pickett says he will dive into doing what is needed to help the team win.
"Preparation and helping, being that extra coach," Pickett said Wednesday. "Whatever we need. Whatever Mitch needs to help him out, give the guys a great look. Be a guy for Mitch on the sidelines, echo what I see and help him anyway he needs."
There is so much outside talk, even if second-hand, Pickett understands what is being said. The 24 year-old claims he's not concerned about outside expectations, is taking it day-by-day, but still has his eye on the ultimate goal of being the starter.
"I just kind of focus on what my job is," Pickett said. "I'm definitely not complacent with my job. I'm always trying to get better, trying to improve. Whenever my number gets called, if it ever does this season, I need to be ready."
"That's where my focus is, everything else will take care of itself."
