The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the NFL community on Friday as news broke, courtesy of ESPN's Adam Schefter, revealing the team's trade of Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. This move marks the end of an era for the former 2022 first-round draft pick out of Pitt.
John McGonigal / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected quarterback Kenny Pickett with the 20th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Having started 24 games for the Steelers across the past two seasons, Pickett leaves behind a mixed legacy. Despite orchestrating six fourth-quarter comebacks and engineering seven game-winning drives, his overall performance failed to consistently impress.
According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the underlying cause behind the Steelers' decision to trade Pickett traces back to his response when benched for Mason Rudolph and his reaction upon learning of Russell Wilson's arrival.
“The Steelers made the move because of the way Pickett was poorly handling the arrival of Russell Wilson, according to sources. That came on the heels of Pickett's behavior last season when he refused to dress as the emergency third quarterback in Seattle in Week 17.”
Pickett initially enjoyed widespread fan support upon being drafted to the same city where he played college football. However, following two instances of poor attitude, the Steelers were prepared to sever ties.
Can confirm @gerrydulac's reporting that Kenny Pickett's handling of the Russell Wilson signing was a factor in the @Steelers' decision. He communicated to the team he was fine with competing for the job, then went the other way when Wilson was added. So he's gone.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 15, 2024
The report made by Dulac was confirmed by NFL reporter Albert Breer. This decision relocates Pickett to the Eagles, where, at 25 years old, he'll assume the role of a guaranteed backup. His NFL journey has taken an unexpected and surprising turn.
Steelers Now In Need Of Another Quarterback
Earlier in the week, the Steelers allowed Rudolph to depart without securing a deal, which seemed odd given the impending departure of Pickett. However, with Wilson now in the picture, speculation about a potential trade for Justin Fields is circulating again. Nevertheless, the Steelers find themselves in need of another quarterback on the roster, as currently, Wilson stands alone without a capable backup.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A8221-544x306.jpg "Steelers Mason Rudolph")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers' former QB Mason Rudolph.
With the draft approaching and presenting a plethora of promising prospects, the Steelers are undoubtedly eyeing the opportunity to secure one of these talented quarterbacks to fill the void left by Pickett's departure. While the team also has needs at center and wide receiver, the urgency to solidify the quarterback position has taken precedence. As the heartbeat of any football team, finding a capable backup signal-caller is paramount for the Steelers' success in the upcoming season.
As Steeler Nation eagerly anticipates the team's next moves, there is a palpable sense of anticipation and curiosity surrounding how the organization will navigate the quarterback situation. With the draft representing a prime opportunity to acquire young talent, fans will be closely monitoring each pick and trade made by the Steelers' front office. The search for the next backup quarterback and maybe future franchise quarterback has become a top priority. The decisions made in the coming weeks will undoubtedly shape the team's trajectory for seasons to come.
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