What Kenny Pickett told Steelers before game-winning drive

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. Michael Longo/For USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

What QB Kenny Pickett told Steelers huddle before game-winning drive

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 12/26/22

In what was a night of high emotions, rookie QB Kenny Pickett showed his cool in the biggest moment of the Steelers' 13-10 win vs. the Raiders.

Pittsburgh struggled to finish drives all game, but what Pickett told the huddle before its final drive may not be what some expect.

"There's no speech that's going to put the ball in the end zone, man," Pickett told reporters after the game. "I told them they're going to execute, I'll execute, and we're going to win the game. That's pretty much it."

Kenny Pickett addresses the media following our win against the Raiders. pic.twitter.com/yNjuvp1e4d
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 25, 2022

Pickett has shown his maturity before, but him leading the Steelers' game-winning drive on the 50th anniversary of the 'Immaculate Reception' in front of a national audience might be the highlight of his rookie season thus far.

The Steelers took over at their 24-yard line with 2:55 left in the game and trailing 10-6. Pickett marched his team down the field and found fellow rookie WR George Pickens for the go-ahead touchdown, making history on a historic night.

Kenny Pickett's 14-yard TD pass to George Pickens marked only the 4th instance in the Super Bowl era of a rookie QB throwing a game-winning TD to a rookie receiver in the final 2 minutes of regulation.@steelers
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) December 25, 2022

Pickett does play with emotion, but his understanding of when to keep his composure is an impressive intangible Pittsburgh can rely on as he continues to grow.

The 24-year-old quarterback only cares about winning and the feeling that follows.

"When you're in the locker room after and you guys are hugging after a win, that's the best feeling in the world. So, I had no doubt that we were going to get it done," Pickett added.

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