Hall of Fame CB names Kenny Pickett dark-horse MVP candidate

The Steelers had a very aggressive offseason, giving QB Kenny Pickett all the tools he needs to be successful in his sophomore season. One Hall of Fame cornerback believes Pittsburgh did enough that Pickett has a chance, although small, to be named the league's top player by year's end.

"Dark-horse candidates are always bad bets because they're always on average-ass teams and they need everything to go right for their team to win," Ronde Barber said in a roundtable article for The 33rd Team. "Kenny Pickett showed that he has some serious game down the stretch in 2022 and that he is suited for the NFL. He's got two really good young receivers and a stud tight end. If the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense rebounds, he'll get them into the playoffs."

Barber makes some good points. It's likely Pickett will take a leap in 2023 with his weapons, which include WR Diontae Johnson, WR George Pickens, WR Allen Robinson II and TE Pat Freiermuth, but being named MVP feels like a stretch.

Pickett certainly looked the part during the second half of the season in 2022, leading Pittsburgh to a 6-2 record and throwing for 1,442 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception following the team's bye.

He also became the first rookie in NFL history to have a game-winning TD pass in the final minute in back-to-back games.

However, if Pickett can get the Steelers back to the postseason, it will have been a successful year.

Even if Pickett's development and the team overall are much better, it still feels like Pittsburgh is a season away from being true Super Bowl contenders. But if everything goes right, Pickett may just be the biggest surprise of the season.