Pickett showing signs of progress

Kenny Pickett is not going to blow opponents away with arm strength. Or speed. Or stature. Or flawless decision-making. Or a quick release. The Steelers rookie quarterback’s greatest strength may be his ability to be greater than the sum of his parts, a trait that was on full display during Monday night’s 24-17 victory over the Colts. Pickett doesn’t yet have to be strong for the Steelers (4-7) to succeed, just strong enough. He doesn’t need to be fast, just fast enough. Not quick, just quick enough. Coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t expect Pickett to morph into the “Kenny Perfect” persona he cultivated during his college days at Pitt. All Tomlin wants out of Pickett in 2022 is progress. Pickett provided it in a sturdy if not spectacular performance while orchestrating his first NFL fourth-quarter comeback. Sure, the Steelers only trailed by a point when the offense took over 16 seconds into the final frame. Yet in a season in which the Steelers have had a volatile relationship with success, it was enough to breathe some much-needed life into a season that threatened to spin out of control.