Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett is ready to take the training wheels off as he enters his second season in the NFL. Pickett steadily improved as a rookie in 2022 as the Steelers won six of his final seven starts on their way to a 9-8 finish. Pickett is intent on taking another step forward when the Steelers host San Francisco in their 2023 opener. Pickett’s leadership now that he’s firmly entrenched as the starter hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates. He was picked as one of four team captains for the 2023 season.