PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s one thing for fans or media to praise the first drive of the first preseason game, but for a former Pro Bowl and All-American linebacker. Ryan Shazier not only praised that initial drive, while a guest with the PM Team, but made comparisons between Kenny Pickett and Patrick Mahomes.
Shazier was big on some of Pickett’s intangibles-controlling the offense well, he understands his protections and knew where defenders were. He has also protected the football in training camp. Shazier believes this gives good insight into what Pickett will do this season.
“I think Kenny is going to have a breakout season,” Shazier told Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller on 93.7 The Fan. “I think he’s going to have a season like a lot of great quarterbacks in the NFL had in their second season-like Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson.”
“I’m not saying Kenny will win the MVP, hopefully he can, but I think he’s going to play at a really high level to allow this offense to put points on the board.”
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Some big names Shazier is being compared with, guys who have put up huge numbers. The former Steelers linebacker isn’t saying that Pickett will necessarily put up those stats, but he brings the ability and desire to win.
“You can teach people how to win, but you can’t coach winning,” Shazier said on the PM Team on 93.7 The Fan. “What I mean by that is, when Patrick Mahomes has a high-ankle sprain and everybody doesn’t think he can play and he goes out and leads a game-winning drive. I think Kenny Pickett has that in him.”
“He understands when a situation presents itself and my back is against the wall. I’m going to come out swinging and I’m going to figure out a way to get this win. That’s what I like about Kenny. We’ve seen that when he was at Pitt.”
“When they won the ACC Championship at Pitt, nobody in their right mind, even people in Pittsburgh, thought Pitt was going to win the ACC that season. Kenny was able to do that. I feel the same way about him playing and that’s why I’m so confident in him.”
Middle linebackers
It was his position and the Steelers been chasing his replacement since his career ended. What did Shazier think about the middle linebacker group Friday? The top three are in their first seasons with the Steelers. He likes having guys from different systems, saying they will bring new ideas.
“I actually like the approach they took this year when it comes to the linebackers,” Shazier said on 93.7 The Fan. “After me and Vince (Williams) left, there was a bunch of young guys in there and they would bring in a veteran here or there. The route they took this year was they were going to take a bunch of veterans and allow them to understand the system that we have and they should be able to catch on.”
Shazier laughed when discussing how much the middle linebacker position has changed since he came into the league in 2014. He said Ray Lewis (for example) didn’t have to cover players like Julian Edelman and Cooper Kupp. The former Ohio State star said today’s middle linebackers need the aggressiveness and the mindset of the traditional LBs, plus the coverage ability of a safety or corner. It’s a much tougher position to play now.
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Preseason party
Shazier is holding a ‘Draft 412’ watch party for the final preseason game against Atlanta at the City Winery on August 24 at 7p. Funds raised will benefit the Ryan Shazier Foundation, you can register by going to his Twitter or ‘X’ account ‘@ryanshazier’.