In a recent appearance on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show, NFL insider Aditi Kinkhabwala shed light on the underlying issues that plagued Kenny Pickett during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite Pickett being labeled a bust for the franchise, Kinkhabwala hinted that his poor performance wasn’t solely his fault. The former offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s system played a significant role in limiting the quarterback’s potential.
“If you even knew, and we can talk about this offline. If you even knew the half of what he was dealing with here. I’m not willing to say he was a complete and total bust. He was not the right fit and it was not the right thing here. Let’s wait until his career is over before classifying him as a bust,” she stated.
Matt Canada’s System and Kenny Pickett’s Fit
Although Pickett’s selection in the first round of the NFL Draft was partly influenced by Canada’s ties to the University of Pittsburgh, the offensive coordinator’s uninspired offensive concepts didn’t help Pickett succeed. Pickett struggled to find his rhythm, and Kinkhabwala implied that he was never given the right environment to flourish.
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Beyond Canada’s coaching issues, Pickett’s perceived low ceiling, small hands, and inability to fully assert leadership on the field hampered his ability to become the franchise quarterback the Steelers were hoping for.
A New Start in Philadelphia Eagles
Pickett has since moved on, now serving as the backup quarterback to Jalen Hurts on the Philadelphia Eagles, his childhood favorite team. The recent draft trends have seen many first-round quarterbacks struggle to live up to their potential, suggesting that NFL talent evaluators may be misjudging the qualities necessary for success in this position.
Looking Ahead for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Moving forward, the Steelers will need to reevaluate their offensive approach to avoid repeating the mistakes that stunted Pickett’s growth.
The current coaching staff and future quarterbacks will need to adopt a more creative and supportive offensive structure that can nurture talent and maximize potential.
Ultimately, the franchise must make better organizational decisions and create a stable environment where promising quarterbacks can thrive. Whether it’s Canada or Pickett at fault, pointing fingers won’t solve the underlying problems within the team’s offensive strategy.
