Mike Tomlin believes 4th-quarter comebacks will come for Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett

Kenny Pickett had his first true chance at directing a fourth-quarter comeback for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium.

That Pickett didn’t get the job done in a 16-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins didn’t diminish coach Mike Tomlin’s faith in his rookie quarterback’s ability to deal with such circumstances.

Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference that he liked the competitive spirit Pickett displayed against the Dolphins in spite of the interceptions he threw on the Steelers’ final two drives.

“He’s a fish in water,” Tomlin said. “It’s natural for him. He’s a competitor. He’s got a thirst for it. It’s been fun being in those circumstances.”

Pickett had five fourth-quarter comebacks in his career at Pitt, the most by a Panthers quarterback in 50 years. He also won a game in overtime last year against North Carolina. That was one of the traits that enticed the Steelers to take Pickett with the No. 20 overall draft pick.

The Steelers have trailed in the fourth quarter in three of the four games Pickett has played this season. After his interception against the New York Jets contributed to a late touchdown and 24-20 deficit, Pickett didn’t get the ball back until 16 seconds remained. Still, he got the Steelers to midfield before he threw an interception in the end zone as time expired.

In his first career start, Pickett faced a 31-3 deficit at Buffalo entering the final quarter, and the Steelers never trailed in their 20-18 victory against Tampa Bay the following week. Against Miami, the Steelers trailed by six points in the fourth quarter before Pickett led a pair of elongated drives that could have given the Steelers the lead.

On the first possession, Pickett moved the Steelers to the Miami 30 with three minutes left before he was intercepted at the 18 on a pass intended for Diontae Johnson. After the Steelers got the ball back with 2:31 to play, Pickett led the Steelers from their 13 to the Miami 25. Facing a second-and-2, Pickett looked again for Johnson only to be intercepted just inside the end zone for a touchback with 18 seconds to play.

“Obviously, we want the outcomes to be different,” Tomlin said, “but to communicate with him professionally and to watch him operate, to watch his demeanor and to watch his approach to those circumstances is exciting and refreshing.”

The Steelers are a year removed from having a quarterback who specialized in fourth-quarter comebacks. Ben Roethlisberger had 41 in his career, which ranks third all-time, with seven coming in his final season.

Roethlisberger had four in his rookie season.

Pickett, though, has been hurt by interceptions. Only Matt Ryan (nine) and Matthew Stafford (eight) have thrown more than Pickett’s seven. Tomlin said he has discussed the interceptions with Pickett but also doesn’t want to take away his quarterback’s aggressiveness.

“He’s playing and playing to win,” Tomlin said. “There are some things to be learned, but they are not producing unusual conversations between he and I regarding it. We have to take care of the ball every week. That’s our mindset.”

The challenge doesn’t get any easier for Pickett this week when the Steelers prepare to face the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles lead the NFL with 14 takeaways, including nine interceptions that trail only Buffalo’s 10.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts could be a measuring stick for Pickett’s evolution as an NFL quarterback. In his second full season as a starter, Hurts has thrown just two interceptions. He also has used his mobility to rush for 293 yards and six touchdowns.

Before throwing his final interception against the Dolphins, Pickett had ample running room in front of him. He decided to target Johnson instead.

“He’s always allowed,” to run, Tomlin said. “You have to give the quarterback latitude to do what comes naturally, particularly those with mobility. The only framework I put on it is prudent use of mobility because with quarterback mobility comes exposure and risk. We need to proceed prudently.”