Kenny Pickett miscalculated Steelers tenure, now in worse situation with Eagles

Kenny Pickett is no longer a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two years after drafting him in the first round, Pittsburgh traded Pickett within the state of Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia Eagles. Pickett may now be with the team he grew up rooting for, but is he really better off?

After the initial shock of the news on Friday, reports began to circulate that Pickett actually asked to be traded. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pickett did not demand a trade, but made it clear to the Steelers he would prefer to be elsewhere after the signing of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also offered that the Steelers were growing sick of Pickett’s behavior, confirming past reports that he refused to dress as the third-string quarterback behind both Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky during the Week 17 game in Seattle.

All in all, it sounds as if both parties are happy about the divorce. And that makes this whole situation more surreal based on the immense fanfare that accompanied Pickett starting his NFL career in the same city he became a star in college. Pickett’s time with the Steelers shows success in college only goes so far and doesn’t earn anyone anything once a professional.

To put it simply, Pickett bet on himself and lost. Pickett provided some fun moments and did show some flashes of potential, but he did not perform well enough to warrant acting entitled. Pickett’s Steelers career ends with only 13 touchdowns to go along with 13 interceptions in 24 starts. Some may argue he needed more time to progress, granted first-round quarterbacks are rarely afforded the luxury of time in today’s NFL. Others feel poor coaching, namely former offensive coordinator Matt Canada, stunted his development.

But regardless of anyone’s opinion, if Pickett’s issues were about playing time, his chances of earning more have drastically decreased after the trade. While Wilson, despite being a shell of the player he once was with the Seahawks, still played better than Pickett in 2023 and would’ve likely won the starting job, he wasn’t going to provide nearly as big of an obstacle as Jalen Hurts will in Philadelphia.

Hurts, 25, is the same age as Pickett. However, unlike the former Pitt star, he has already achieved NFL success – reaching the Super Bowl two seasons ago. Most importantly, Philadelphia is invested in Hurts as the face of the franchise, while the Steelers only signed Wilson to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum.

There’s plenty of blame to go around for why Pickett failed with the Steelers. But the reason Pickett’s NFL future is now in doubt and he experienced a fall from grace in Pittsburgh is mostly about his ego.

More must-reads:

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The Steelers released eight-time Pro Bowl CB Patrick Peterson last week. He understands that the NFL is a business but has since suggested that his departure could hurt the team more than it helps it. Pittsburgh saved $7M in salary cap space by moving on from the 33-year-old, but Peterson believes the development of one of the Steelers’ up-and-coming stars could be hindered without him. “I wanna be able to help Joey [Porter Jr.] to help his career to continue to flourish,” Peterson said on the latest edition of his “All Things Covered” podcast. “Joey can be so special, man. But he has no one there that can help him get to where he wants to go, that has the experience to help him go where he wants to go.” The Steelers have since traded for veteran CB Donte Jackson from the Panthers to pair with Porter Jr., but even Jackson doesn’t have the resume Peterson does. “If the Pittsburgh Steelers have the aspiration of Joey being what they want him to be…what other guy would you want to have around teaching the young pup? I’ve done everything that ya’ll want him to be,” Peterson added. Peterson makes a strong argument, but he clearly lost a step in 2023. Opposing teams knew it as they regularly targeted him, and it worked out for them most of the time. The 13-year veteran finished the year with 42 tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed while also experimenting with a position change to safety. Peterson knows he isn’t the same player he used to be but believes his versatility can still help Pittsburgh compete for a Super Bowl next season. “I can be your second and third corner and your nickel for sure because we don’t have a nickel on the roster. I know the defense, I understand what we need to do,” Peterson stated. “It is not about the money at this point, I just want to have an opportunity to win a championship.” If Peterson is interested in returning to the Steelers for the veteran minimum, it would be difficult to turn down as they are still a little thin at the position. However, there is also still a lot of offseason left with several free agents available and a 2024 NFL Draft class that has great options as well.

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In a shocking turn of events, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded first-round pick in 2022 Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN. In return for the trade, Pittsburgh will receive the No. 98 overall selection along with two 2025 seventh-round picks while giving up Pickett and the No. 120 overall pick. Pickett was once the toast of the town after a stellar career at Pitt, but things went sideways in his two seasons with the Steelers, as he struggled to stay healthy and posted a 13-13 touchdown-interception ratio. Pickett is now out of Pittsburgh and is heading to Philadelphia to back up Jalen Hurts. That will clear the way for Russell Wilson to be the starter. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the Steelers made the move because of the way Pickett was poorly handling the arrival of Russell Wilson. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated added that Pickett communicated to the team he was fine with competing for the job, then went the other way when Wilson was added. Pickett preferred a trade, though he did not demand one, sources confirmed to Steelers Now. Pickett unhappy with the Steelers organization comes on the heels of when he refused to dress as the emergency third quarterback in Seattle in Week 17, Steelers Now confirmed at the time. Mark Madden of 105.9 The X first reported that Pickett did not want to dress. Pickett addressed the reporting in a statement before taking questions from the media following the Seattle game, and he was not pleased. “I saw reports out there that were attacking who I am as a person, not even getting into the player standpoint of it. “There was not talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of me being a two. If I was healthy enough to play, and if the trainers and coaches felt that if I looked good enough to play, then I was going to start and play. If they believed that I was not, and they believed that I was not, I was not going to suit up for the game. “So whoever reported that, I don’t know where it started, it’s kinda crazy what people will write and put out there to try to prove their point or help their standpoint or their careers and what you guys do. Disappointed to see that without any proof or basis of it.” Madden is now taking a victory lap on X and on air during his show on 105.9 The X. He thinks Pickett is entitled and afraid of competition. “Small hands, big ego … Farewell to a gutless coward who’s running away from failure to hide across the state,” Madden wrote. “Anybody doubt that Seattle story now? … Arrogant w/o accomplishment. I was right all along. HAW, HAW, HAW, HAW! I accept your apologies.” Madden added that he was right about Pickett the whole time: “I was right about this guy all along. The others weren’t. I was.” Wilson said in his introductory news conference with the Steelers that he texted Pickett right after he agreed to a deal “to just tell him, hey, every day we got out there, let’s be the best version of ourselves and try to make this team better.” Wilson also said that he went out to dinner on Thursday night with Cam Heyward, Connor Heyward, Pat Freiermuth, James Harrison and Charlie Batch. It was also reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network that Heyward advocated for the Steelers to sign Wilson. Pickett is the second player to be traded by the Steelers this offseason, joining wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who was dealt to the Carolina Panthers. Both players requested to be traded. Madden thinks the Steelers locker room is in a better place with Pickett and Johnson gone. “If Diontae Johnson doesn’t want to be here, see ya! If Kenny Pickett doesn’t want to be here, see ya!” Madden said on 105.9 The X. Madden thinks Pickett’s ego and hubris got the best of him. He thinks Pickett should have waited things out and competed with Wilson. That was his best chance to get on the field. “He won’t get a shot in Philly,” Madden said.

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