Bill Cowher worried Steelers are ruining Kenny Pickett

Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher is worried about how the team is handling Kenny Pickett after the rookie quarterback was sacked six times and hit 11 in Sunday’s 35-13 blowout loss to the Eagles.

After the game, Cowher, who works as an NFL studio analyst for CBS, expressed concern about Pickett’s confidence in a saturated Steelers offense that is still in search of a solid run game.

“You’re transitioning into a new quarterback, ok? And right now, I get worried about his confidence, because I’ve seen this happen to other quarterbacks right now,” Cowher said on CBS’s postgame show. “Take the ball out of his hands, don’t ask him to do as much as you’re asking him to do. I know we have these receivers and everything else.

“It’s not about the receivers, it’s about a philosophy on offense that says, listen, what’s the best part of your team? It’s going to be your defensive side, but that gets worn down after a period of time. There’s no margin of error there.

Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett looks to pass the ball against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 30, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images

“You have to somehow shorten the game with this quarterback and it goes back to run the ball and put him back under center,” Cowher continued, acknowledging Pittsburgh’s 2-6 record. “… I understand it’s a period of transition. What’s in the best interest to develop the quarterback, who’s your quarterback of the future without destroying his confidence?”

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Cowher spent 15 years as head coach of the Steelers, including when Ben Roethlisberger took over the starting quarterback job as a rookie in 2004. The Steelers were a much different team back then, with one of the best defenses in the league and a 15-1 record.

Pickett was 25 of 38 for 191 yards and an interception in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles.

Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher looks on during the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Steelers on Sept. 30, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick sacks Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett during game between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Oct. 30, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The University of Pittsburgh product has shown consistent struggles through five games and four starts after taking over for Mitch Trubisky.

Pickett’s thrown for 962 yards with two touchdowns against eight interceptions for a QB rating of 66.8.

The Steelers have a bye before hosting New Orleans on Nov. 13.