The photo shows Kenny Pickett seated at a desk, engaged in conversation with Mike Tomlin, with Pickett wearing a Steelers jersey. The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially parted ways with quarterback Kenny Pickett, trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles. This move signals the end of Pickett’s two-year stint with the Steelers. So, what led to this outcome?
It’s evident that Pickett wasn’t meeting the expectations as the team’s starting quarterback, which likely influenced the Steelers’ decision to acquire Russell Wilson earlier in the week. However, why did Pickett request a trade? There’s a clear explanation for it. According to information from Tom Pelissero:
“The situation took a negative turn when Kenny Pickett was assured by Mike Tomlin that he would have an opportunity to compete. Pickett discovered the signing of Russell Wilson via social media on Sunday night. The following morning, during their conversation, Tomlin informed Pickett that Wilson would be given priority and would receive the first reps. Consequently, Pickett requested a trade and is now a member of the Eagles.”
It’s understandable why Pickett made this decision from his perspective. Although he may not directly compete for the QB1 role with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, it’s comprehensible why the former Pitt standout was dissatisfied. He was the primary quarterback for the Steelers, and suddenly found himself in a different situation, which would naturally leave a bitter taste for anyone involved.
While it’s unlikely that Pickett will see significant playing time with the Eagles, it does represent a fresh start for him. Last season, he played in 12 games, throwing for 2,070 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions, completing 62 percent of his passes.
Overall, in his two NFL seasons, Pickett has appeared in 25 games, completing 62.6 percent of his passes, with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. These numbers are not exceptional, especially considering the Steelers were looking for someone to succeed Ben Roethlisberger and maintain their competitive edge.
With the acquisition of Russell Wilson, the Steelers now have an experienced quarterback who demonstrated improvement last year in Denver. It remains to be seen how Wilson will fare compared to Pickett during his time with the Black and Gold.
