PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In his weekly media news conference on Wednesday, the first question to Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was about Mike Tomlin saying they are both judged by wins and losses.
“That’s the most important thing,” Pickett said. “As long as we keep doing that, I feel good about with where we are headed and the direction we are going.”
You’ve likely seen the numbers, his stats in the bottom third of the league for starting quarterbacks in everything but interceptions thrown. But few in the league have more wins that Pickett. Ravens Lamar Jackson and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes are the only QBs in the AFC with more victories, Jaylen Hurts (Eagles) and Jared Goff (Detroit) in the NFC.
“Winning, you got to win at all costs in this game,” Pickett said. “That’s all I truly care about. Of course, you want to light up the stat sheet. As long as we are getting the wins, I’m ok with that. I sleep good with getting the wins. Keep pushing, having that mindset, stay together as a group and we will be alright.”
Pickett adds he doesn’t need external motivation from his coach or anyone else. He wants to play great every game and continues to push towards that result.
AFC North rule
In five games where he’s started and finished the game, Pickett is 4-1 against teams in the AFC North. He lost his first ever start against a division team, 37-30 to the Bengals while he threw for his second-highest total of his career (265 yards) and a touchdown. Since then, wins at and home to Baltimore and home twice to Cleveland. He has five touchdowns to one interception in those matchups.
“Divisional games are big,” Pickett said Wednesday. “You want to play your best against the division, obviously you want to play your best every game. But those division games matter more.”
Freiermuth return
It’s looking good for Pat Freiermuth to return Sunday against Cleveland, he was able to practice full on Wednesday and reported no issues. The starting tight end has only eight receptions this year, but two are for scores.
“Huge, huge,” Pickett said of his return. “We would love to get him back this weekend. It’s another aspect defenses have to respect, him working the middle and doing different things for us. It will really help to have him back.”
Among the different things, it would, potentially with Freiermuth and Diontae Johnson back, allow George Pickens to get more one-on-one coverage. Pickens got opportunities in the first matchup finishing with four catches for 127 yards including a 71-yard touchdown.
Respect
He said he’s lucky to practice against such a great player in TJ Watt during the offseason and in training camp. The Steelers quarterback said you really think about playing against a player like Cleveland’s Myles Garrett when you face Watt. Pickett called him an unbelievable player with elite talent. In the end you have to try and minimize him as much as possible.
“It’s very challenging,” Pickett said.
“They do a lot of different things that can put you in some situations. You have to try to minimize that as much as you can schematically, trying to do things to get the ball out of my hand. Whatever it may be to help our guys out up front.”
Better now
Stats back it up, but this is a better Steelers offense now than the Browns saw in September. It needs to be to get a win on Sunday.
“We are maturing,” Pickett said. “We are growing up. We are getting the running game going and getting that balance we are always searching… continue to push for that. Where we are with the run game is a much better place than we were in Week Two.”