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Mike Tomlin has words for QB Kenny Pickett

The Pittsburgh Steelers had themselves a new starting quarterback in the form of 1st round draft pick Kenny Pickett, who took over from the struggling veteran Mitchell Trubisky earlier in the 2022 NFL season. 

And while it wasn’t completely smooth sailing, Pickett rebounded nicely in order to lead the Steelers on the verge of a postseason spot. Unfortunately, despite the winning record of 9-8, the Steelers would fall just short of qualifying for the postseason and had to watch from home. 

How does head coach Mike Tomlin feel about Pickett heading into his second season? He had nothing but good things to say about him. 

“I’m excited about Kenny individually in terms of the growth that he’s capable of making and, and what he’s willing to do to realize that,” Tomlin told ESPN’s Brooke Pryor on Sunday at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix. “I think I’m probably more excited about that because I’ve just been around him intimately now for 12 months. There was some anticipation things because of the close proximity that we’ve all talked about quite a bit, but the reality of having worked with him for 12 months, it’s just more evidence of what we should be excited about — his willingness to work, his professional approach, his maturity in processing. It’s exciting.”

He also explained that the continuity in having Matt Canada remain as offensive coordinator was key. 

“I think it’s reasonable to expect that to be significant,” Tomlin said. “But we’ll have an opportunity to make it so.”

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Steelers announce key addition to coaching staff

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a key addition to head coach Mike Tomlin’s staff earlier today. Glenn Thomas is on his way to Steel City to serve as the new offensive assistant coach after having spent 2022 as the offensive coordinator at Arizona State. 

Per Steelers.com: 

“Thomas brings 20 plus years of coaching to the Steelers on the NFL and collegiate levels combined. Thomas spent the 2022 season as the offensive coordinator at Arizona State. Prior to his stint at Arizona State, he was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for two seasons at UNLV.

Thomas spent three seasons as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Baylor University. In 2019 the Bears went 11-2 with a No. 7 ranking before losing in the Sugar Bowl. During Thomas’ three years at Baylor (2017-19), quarterback Charlie Brewer was developed into one of the top quarterbacks in school history, throwing 69 touchdowns in three seasons and being named a semifinalist for the 2019 Davey O’Brien Award.

Thomas spent two seasons, 2015-16, at Temple University as quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator, helping to lead the school to back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time. He also was on the coaching staff at Midwestern State from 2001-07.”