Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro shielding address Cam Heyward recently joined Mike Golic and Mike Golic Jr.on the DraftKings’ Gojo And Golic podcast for an in-depth dialog on triumphing NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, podcasting, Kenny Pickett, and the kingdom of the Steelers.
In regards to the Steelers’ quarterback situation, which has been a warm topic as of late, Heyward thinks there has to be opposition at the games most necessary position. Pickett can’t simply be handed the starting role.
“You know, I think both can be, you know, really helpful to us. Whether it’s Kenny, (Pickett) us having support in the back of him, and then, you know, I suppose opposition breeds greatness. … At each position, you received to have competition. That’s how you get better. That’s how guys get pushed. Even when Ben Roethlisberger first acquired here, it wasn’t like he began right away, he had to earn the position,” Heyward said when requested if Pickett would be the starter or anybody else in 2024. “That competition we bought to have a little bit, especially after closing year. You know, I thinking Mason Rudolph did a particularly appropriate job coming in the final 4 games and genuinely showing that competition. Whether they carry him (Rudolph) back or not, there has to be competition in that quarterback room.”
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reiterated on the Pat McAfee Show Tuesday that the Pittsburgh Steelers prefer a Pickett-Rudolph competition at quarterback. He thinks Pittsburgh doesn’t have any hobby in signing an external veteran quarterback with a desire to start.
“Last week in Indianapolis, one of the things I picked up from talking with people, this isn’t some bit from the Steelers and this fits with how they are,” Florio said. “They don’t go out and make a huge splash in free agency. They strive to groom the guys they have.”
Florio noted that the Steelers gave Terry Bradshaw five years to parent out how to play quarterback in the NFL and it worked. It’s simply a part of the organization’s philosophy to be patient. But, there’s no doubt about it, this is a make-or-break yr for Pickett. He has to exhibit essential strides in his development in Year 3
