Kenny Pickett gives Steelers fans hope once he can be free of Matt Canada

Kenny Pickett looked like a world-beater on the game-winning drive for the Steelers against the Raiders, raising hopes for his post-Matt Canada future.

Fans clamored for Kenny Pickett after enduring weeks of Mitchell Trubisky. They watched as the rookie struggled, then started to come into his own in the latter half of the season. Now they’ve seen what he can do when he really cooks and what the future might hold for him and the Steelers.

Facing a four-point deficit against the Raiders late, Pickett led the third game-winning drive of his career capped by a 14-yard touchdown to George Pickens. It was arguably the most impressive drive of his career so far.

Pickett was 7-of-9 on that final drive, accounting for all 76 yards himself. One of those yards was a one-yard fourth-down conversion on the ground.

It was the kind of drive that had people wondering why the Steelers’ offense couldn’t always be that effective.

Steelers fans want to see Kenny Pickett cook without Matt Canada

The simple answer for that is offensive coordinator Matt Canada. His uninspiring scheme and playcalling have held Pickett and Pittsburgh’s offense back for long enough.

Fans are ready to see what heights the quarterback can reach with a better offensive coordinator running the show.

Imagine how good Pickett Pickens Freiermuth etc would look with a real offensive coordinator.

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 25, 2022

Kenny Pickett has looked so good recently. This play calling his holding him back so much though and it shows. If we can just get a few pieces on the OL for Pickett and banish Matt Canada for Pittsburgh we’ll be fine on offense for the foreseeable future #HereWeGo #Steelers

— zack🎅🏿🎄 (@zackinhooo) December 25, 2022

Pickett is so good rolling out of the pocket. Canada is such an idiot for not trying that more often. #steelers

— DreamBackfield.com (@IntoPitt) December 25, 2022

Plays like that give me hope for Pickett. Get rid of Canada, strengthen the o-line and Pickett could well be our franchise QB. He has the talent. Let’s just see how he develops with better tools at his disposal. #HereWeGo

— Matt (@reel_villan) December 25, 2022

I truly can’t believe how people expect more than that out of a rookie in absolutely AWFUL weather and an OL that mostly appears to try to grt him hurt. And that doesn’t even begin to consider Matt Canada handcuff ING him most of the time with a JV offense.

— Mike Frazer ✝️🎄🎅 (@MPFrazer) December 25, 2022

Can people stop hating on Pickett? Interception aside, he played well and most importantly had a clutch drive that ended in the game winning touchdown.

Give this man a new OC and a better O-line and I believe he will do great things#kp8 #Steelers

— Northern Steel Podcast (@NorthernSteelPC) December 25, 2022

Another example of why steelers need a proven veteran OC that matches with Pickett. And also a strongly talent QB coach who can work with him too. The current combo is worthless.

— pittengineer75 (@pittengineer75) December 25, 2022

Pickett finished 26-of-39 for 244 yards, one touchdown nd one interception.

For three quarters, the Steelers offense struggled to put points on the board. They managed just three, in part because of two missed field goals.

Things took a turn in the fourth quarter. Chris Boswell knocked through a 40-yard field goal early in the period. Thanks to multiple impressive stops by the Pittsburgh defense, Pickett and company got the ball back with just under three minutes to play trailing by four.