Steelers HC Mike Tomlin is ‘not urinating’ on Kenny Pickett’s fire

Mike Tomlin famously cheered Kenny Pickett on at the end of the 2022 season, calling him “Kenny [expletive] Pickett.” Lately, he’s probably been putting the expletive before his QB’s name.

Despite his awful second season, Tomlin isn’t ready to give up on his first-round draft pick.

“I’m focused on this week in terms of the development of Kenny. We’re not urinating on the fire, man,” he told reporters in response to Pickett’s long-term development. “We’re getting ready to play a football game and win this week. That is the only agenda here. It’s not big-picture and 2024 and all of that. This organization is not wired like that.”

Tomlin made it clear that Pickett is the starting quarterback.

Given his play in the second half of last season, it was anticipated Pickett would make that second-year leap Tomlin consistently preaches. He made a leap all right — in the wrong direction.

Tomlin’s answer was even shorter when asked about his expectations for Pickett in Week 12: “Win.”

Even with the significant coaching staff changes, Tomlin and the Steelers remained focused on one thing: the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s the first of their two-game regular-season series, with the final coming in Week 16 when they play at Acrisure Stadium.

Mike Tomlin:

“KENNY FUCKING PICKETT” pic.twitter.com/0BrvdGdsO4

— Mike Nicastro (@MikedUpSports1) January 2, 2023