Art Rooney II Regrets Missing Chance To See Kenny Pickett Finish Out Season Before Injury
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who have already dismissed offensive coordinator Matt Canada, are attempting to sort through their offensive mess and identify the issues. The issue is that they were never given the opportunity to assess quarterback Kenny Pickett thoroughly in the aftermath. Owner Art Rooney thinks it to be regrettable.
“It was unfortunate that Kenny sustained an injury and was unable to complete the season,” he remarked in a recent one-on-one interview with Bob Pompeani of KDKA for CBS Pittsburgh. “I would have wanted to witness what he did in the final moments. It would have been good to witness that since, obviously, he became stronger towards the end of the previous season.
Just one week after Canada was fired, Pickett had one of his greatest games of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals. With one exception, Pickett completed 24 of 33 attempts for 278 yards without throwing a score. He did successfully complete the end zone pass to wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Head coach Mike Tomlin chose not to appeal the referees’ decision that Johnson did not finish the catch inbounds.
A week later, when trying to score close to the goal line, Pickett hurt his ankle again. He stumbled and fell with three minutes remaining and a goal from the three-yard line. RB On fourth and goal, Najee Harris missed a punch that would have given the Steelers a 10-3 lead. The Arizona Cardinals won 24-10, scoring 21 of the last 28 points in the game.
After leaving the field against the Cardinals after the second half, Mitch Trubisky began the following two games. But the Steelers benched him in favor of Mason Rudolph due to his troubles. In line with this, Rooney commended the sixth-year veteran.
Due to Pickett’s injury, the Steelers were able to see Rudolph under competitive conditions. Additionally, it kept them from receiving a crucial glimpse at a pivotal point in the career of their previous first-round selection pick.
If he hadn’t hurt his ankle and started the last five games, our conversation today may be quite different. Under Mike Sullivan and Eddie Faulkner, maybe Pickett would have kept improving. Throughout his six quarters of play, there were already signs of it.