Kenny Pickett’s stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers came to an end after just two seasons. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in a pick swap.
Pickett was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2022 draft. They were hopeful that he’d be the successor to Ben Roethlisberger.
After Pickett wrapped up a disappointing sophomore season, the Steelers bolstered their quarterback room by signing Russell Wilson to a one-year contract. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, that didn’t sit well with the former Pitt star.
“This one actually started when Russell Wilson announced on social media that he’d be joining the Steelers. It didn’t sound like Kenny Pickett had a heads-up on that,” Rapoport said. “The fact that Kenny Pickett was assured that he would be the starter and then learned that Russell Wilson would probably get the first-team reps in OTAs – or at least a competition for that – didn’t sit well with him.”
On Friday night, Pickett liked a telling report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“How did this go sideways? Mike Tomlin had promised Kenny Pickett he’d get a chance to compete,” Pelissero wrote. “Pickett learned about the Russell Wilson signing on social media Sunday night. When they spoke the next morning, Tomlin told Pickett that Wilson was in pole position and would get the first reps. So, Pickett asked for a trade. Now he’s an Eagle.”
Clearly, Pickett felt like the Steelers lied to him.
Pickett will join the Eagles with 4,474 career passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He’ll be the primary backup to Jalen Hurts.