Steelers CB reveals what makes Kenny Pickett special

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers CB Levi Wallace reveals what makes QB Kenny Pickett special

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 7/3/23

The Steelers have high expectations for Kenny Pickett in 2023, and veteran CB Levi Wallace recently revealed what makes the second-year quarterback so special.

"I've seen him come in and just be hungry and just want to learn the game," Wallace said. "He wants to get rid of all bad habits. He wants to be the best quarterback in the league. He wants to be the best competitor. He never wants to lose. ... It makes all of us better, and that's our guy. So, we back him 100 percent."

. @steelers CB Levi Wallace joins us to comment on the Steelers offseason defensive additions, and tell us what he thinks makes Kenny Pickett so special #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/7NasRAn7Cy
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) June 30, 2023

Pickett threw for 2,404 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions as a rookie. Those numbers don't jump off the page, but Pittsburgh's stretch following its bye has fans excited.

The 2022 first-round pick led the team 6-2 down the stretch, throwing for 1,442 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception, and became the first rookie in NFL history to have a game-winning TD pass in the final minute in back-to-back games.

However, Wallace said he knew from Pickett's first start that he was going to surprise a lot of people.

"That first week in Buffalo, I'm trying to go home and get some rest, and he wants to stay and watch film and ask me questions about Buffalo's defense because he wants to win so bad. He reminds me a lot about Josh [Allen] as much as he's a competitor, the way he prepares," Wallace added.

Pickett must still prove he can take the leap in year two, but his work ethic and hunger to be great certainly support the idea that it will happen.

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