Wins are great, but Mike Tomlin would like to see more from Steelers QB Kenny Pickett

Mike Tomlin is looking to see more progress from quarterback Kenny Pickett in the second half of the season.

Pickett hasn’t thrown an interception in his past five starts, but he also has tossed just two touchdown passes in that span. He also ranks near the bottom of the NFL in most pertinent passing categories.

“We’re going to need more, particularly as this road narrows,” Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference.

In his second season as Steelers quarterback, Pickett ranks No. 26 in passing yards, tied for No. 28 in touchdown passes and No. 25 in passer rating

Tomlin, though, is encouraged by Pickett helping the Steelers to a 6-3 record heading into their game Sunday at Cleveland. He has fourth-quarter comebacks in wins against Baltimore, the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee.

“Kenny and myself, we are measured by wins and losses,” Tomlin said. “We talk about that often and openly. We know what our jobs are. Our jobs are to win. And so that is where we are, that is where our focus is. I love the fact he embraces that.”

Tomlin, of course, would like to see growth in other areas. In the Steelers’ 23-19 victory against Green Bay, Pickett completed 14 of 23 passes for 126 yards. He hasn’t topped 160 yards in his past three starts, although he was injured before halftime of the Week 8 game against Jacksonville.

“Down-in and down-out, are there some things to work on? Certainly,” Tomlin said. “But it’s not like we’re going to start on Wednesday working on those things. We’ve been working on those things, and we will continue to until we get the desired result.”