PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There is a perception that Najee Harris being voted captain last year, but not this year is a slight against him. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said of Kenny Pickett being the sole offensive captain for 2023.
"I think him being the lone captain on offense is obviously no disrespect to the leadership of others, but probably more of a reflection of everyone's feel of his growth and development, not only as a player, but as a leader within this collective," Tomlin said.
Tomlin added it's a team view of Pickett. The captain selections are not managed by the coaching staff.
Seven times Ben Roethlisberger was the only offensive captain during his career.
MVP captain
Maybe the most important captain according to Tomlin is the one on special teams. Miles Killebrew is a third-team safety, but has huge value to the team leading the kick units for a second straight season.
There is a transition on that unit with the loss of Arthur Maulet, Robert Spillane, Marcus Allen and Derek Watt. They were key members of that team and all had been with that group for multiple years.
"He's probably the most central returning figure," Tomlin said of Killebrew. "As other guys gain traction, his leadership, production and play-making is going to be important to us and that growth and development of that collective and the speed in which it happens is going to be important to us."
