In making a case for why the Pittsburgh Steelers are an ideal destination for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger indicated that Kenny Pickett just doesn’t look like a fit for the style of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
But the other main reason Spielberger argued the Steelers as a landing spot for Cousins was he doesn’t view Pickett as a fit for Smith’s offense.
“Arthur Smith can change, I’m not saying he can’t,” Spielberger said. “But what he does historically, and what Kenny Pickett and this offense has done, not the same thing in any way shape or form.”
Spielberger used outside zone runs and play-action passes as examples. According to the PFF analyst, the Steelers were in the bottom third of both of those categories with Pickett last season. But Smith’s offense with the Atlanta Falcons was ranked in the top 2 in both during 2023.