Former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Blasted By Mike Florio: "Pickett Has A Sense, Apparently, Of Entitlement"

The Pittsburgh Steelers cut ties with Kenny Pickett after the team announced the signing of former Super Bowl winner, Russell Wilson. The decision to trade Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles came on the heels of the former Pitt player expressing his displeasure with being a backup. This has led to an increase in fan and media frustration toward Pickett, as they cite his "poor behavior."

Pickett's display of undesirable behavior seemed to start after his injury during the 2023 season. First, he was forced to sit out to heal and then was benched in favor of Mason Rudolph, who was outperforming him. Pickett was asked if he was learning from watching Rudolph and his answer was a curt, "No." That lack of sportsmanship, especially toward a player who stood and held his clipboard for almost two years, was the last straw for many. When he seemed to balk at being a backup, the team showed him what they meant when they said they "want volunteers, not hostages." 

On a recent episode of Pro Football Talk, Chris Simms and Mike Florio discussed the signing of Wilson and the Pickett trade. Simms admitted he was shocked that the Steelers, under the direction of General Manager Omar Khan, have been so aggressive this offseason. It is not a typical Steelers move, according to the analyst. After all, this is a team that has had only three coaches in more than 50 years. They don't generally move on from people they've invested in. However, it shows their commitment to trying to get back to their winning ways. 

Florio said that Pickett's recent attitude shows that competition between him and anyone else would have never worked. He feels that the idea of a competition would have blown up in Head Coach Mike Tomlin's face. 

"Pickett has a sense, apparently, of entitlement and what has he done in 24 regular season starts? What has he done in throwing 13 career touchdown passes and 13 career interceptions to make him entitled to anything? His draft status is it, and he must not know much about the NFL, 'cause your draft status doesn't mean jack diddly squat. What matters is what you do when you get a chance to play. Guys play well, guys don't play well, there's been nothing he's done that has made anyone say, 'D**n! Wow! This guy could be special!' He's done nothing to make anyone say, 'If he does that a few more times per game, he's a Pro Bowler, he's an All-Star, they're a Super Bowl team.' It's been in spite of him that they've been competitive, not because of him," said Florio.

Florio added that the Steelers were more than fair with Pickett. He was allowed 24 NFL starts, which according to him, is a fair chance and a more than reasonable opportunity. Simms said the Steelers felt like they'd done their research, with Pickett having attended Pitt. Unfortunately in the NFL, there are no guarantees, players can be unpredictable. 

Simms added that there was nothing about Pickett that was awful, but there was also nothing that seemed very special. He had some decent skills, but did not seem to be progressing in the fashion that he needed to for this team to be serious contenders. 

Steelers Are Looking For At Least One More To Fill The Quarterback Room 

After the team announced they had traded Pickett, the speculation began immediately about who they would sign. Some fans believed the Steelers would draft a quarterback with the real question being how late will that selection come. That would depend in part on what other veteran the teamed signed. 

There were two names very heavily thrown about - Ryan Tannehill and Justin Fields. Tannehill has a connection to new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, but Fields, who has been with the Chicago Bears, has the true possibility of being the future of the franchise. Fields, who is considered the best running quarterback in the NFL next to Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, is considerably younger than Tannehill.  

When the team announced that they had signed Fields for a conditional late-round pick in 2025, the respect for Khan and what he is doing with this team continued to grow. Tomlin has already announced that Wilson will be the starter in 2024 and Fields will be his backup. That means the Steelers have the best chance of getting everyone's full effort. Wilson is in a prove-it situation where he needs to rid his system of the Denver Broncos. Fields is also going to need to show that he is more than he appeared to be in Chicago and will be looking for opportunities to shine. 

What do you think about Florio's comments? Click to comment below. 

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