The hype for Kenny Pickett began the second Franco Harris announced his name as the Steelers' first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Pickett's career is off to a good start, as he was voted the winner of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award as the Steelers' Rookie of the Year by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.
"It's a huge honor," Pickett said Wednesday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "I'm extremely grateful. Obviously, there's work still to do. I feel like I came in with an unbelievable rookie class. I'm on an unbelievable team. I couldn't have picked a better place to join. I'm extremely grateful for my coaches and teammates, and I thank you (the media). I appreciate it."
After being named the No. 2 quarterback at the conclusion of the preseason, Pickett stepped in as the starter midway through the fourth game of the season and never looked back. Heading into Week 18, the former Pitt Panther has recorded 232 completions on 360 pass attempts for 2,209 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions, along with 236 rushing yards for three touchdowns.
While that might not be the most eye-popping stat line, Pickett this season became the first rookie in NFL history to have a game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute of the fourth quarter in back-to-back games (Week 16 vs. Las Vegas and Week 17 at Baltimore). He also recorded a streak of 145 consecutive passes without an interception, tied for 10th-longest in franchise history and 13th-longest in NFL history by a rookie quarterback.
The Pittsburgh chapter of the PFWA votes on two awards annually. In addition to Pickett being named the team's Rookie of the Year, Mason Cole was voted as the winner of The Chief Award, which was established in honor of team founder Art Rooney, Sr. and is presented annually to the Steeler that best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media.
"You guys have been great," Cole said Wednesday. "Good questions, hard questions. Everyone's been great."
Cole has consistently been a go-to in the locker room in just about any situation. Whether it's a one-on-one interview, a group setting or the Monday after a hard-fought win or tough loss, Cole has never turned away an interview. In addition, his answers helped guide the media through the ups and downs of the 2022 season, especially during the 2-6 start.
"It's seemed like the questions have gotten easier as the season's gone on," Cole said with a smile. "The first half of the season didn't go as we wanted. It's your job to ask the hard questions. It's our job to answer them the best we can."
Cole credits his time at the University of Michigan to where he became prepared to handle the media, specifically naming associate athletic director David Ablauf as a "good mentor."
This has been Cole's first season with the Steelers, and him stepping into this go-to role isn't easy. And, Cole's impression of the media hasn't soured in the process. At least, not yet.
"No, not yet," Cole laughed when he was asked if he had anything bad to say about the local media. "I'll wait until after the season's over."
