After Steelers Signed Russell Wilson A Furious Kenny Pickett Quickly Cancels Workout With Receivers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to move on from their former 2022 first-round draft pick, Kenny Pickett. After signing new starting quarterback Russell Wilson, Pickett was unhappy with the way he was treated by the Steelers. As the team headed into the 2024 new league year, Pickett was under the impression he would be given a third chance and start for Pittsburgh, but things changed with Wilson's arrival. After the signing of Wilson, Pickett skipped a workout with the Steelers' wide receivers, showing he has no interest in competing for the starting spot.

Pickett finished with the Steelers 14-10 as a starter, only passing for 13 touchdowns along with 13 interceptions. With the Steelers looking to make a push for their seventh Super Bowl Title, the quarterback play needed to improve. Pickett made no significant leaps with his play on the field from his rookie year to his sophomore year. The Steelers decided it was time to at least bring in somebody who could bring the best out of Pickett. 

After the arrival of Wilson, Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin had a conversation with Pickett claiming that Wilson would be getting the first reps as the offseason progressed. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac wrote how Pickett lashed out following learning he would be behind Wilson initially. 

"The day after the Steelers agreed to sign Wilson, 35, Pickett canceled a scheduled out-of-town workout with the team's wide receivers, according to sources. He has not been at the team's South Side facility."

Pickett would soon be traded to the Philadelphia Eagles that would move Pittsburgh up from a fourth-round pick to a third-round pick in 2024, securing two seventh-round draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft as well. The Steelers suspected immaturity and selfishness when Pickett was cleared from his ankle injury in 2023 and was placed as a back up to quarterback Mason Rudolph. There were reports that Pickett refused to dress as Rudolph's backup in a Week 17 game versus the Seattle Seahawks, a must-win game for the Steelers. 

As Tomlin always says, "we want volunteers, not hostages." As much as it hurts to let a recent first-round draft pick go as a bust, the Steelers will never hesitate to let a guy go who doesn't want to earn his spot. 

Steelers Look For A New Era In Wilson, Stairway To Seven

As many have seen, Wilson officially signed his new contract with the Steelers on Friday afternoon. After speaking to the press, Wilson's confidence and excitement he brings into Pittsburgh gives hope to not only the fans, but his teammates, and coaches.

Wilson has said numerous times since his arrival in the Steel City that he wants to win at least one or two more Super Bowls, and he plans on doing that in Pittsburgh. Wilson is a nine-time Pro-Bowler and a Super Bowl champion, who is coming off a two-year tenure with the Denver Broncos that did not go as planned for Wilson. Statistically, Wilson was fine in 2023, but nothing to what he once was. Wilson didn't have nearly as much of a completed team as he does now in Denver. Pittsburgh has all of the right pieces, as almost every position group has talent. The Steelers have been missing "that piece" from the quarterback spot for a few years.

With a quarterback with a resume like Wilson, as well as having a chip on his shoulder, the Steelers should do some damage soon in the postseason with Wilson. What do you think Steeler Nation? Will Wilson lead the Steelers to their seventh Lombardi Trophy? Let us know below.

#SteelerNation