The Pittsburgh Steelers brought Kenny Pickett into the Steel City to mixed fanfare when they drafted him in the first round in 2022. There was a large segment of the fan base, especially those who are Pitt fans, who were thrilled with the acquisition. But there were others who felt that Pickett was a reach with that pick. Then, when he went out this offseason to the Philadelphia Eagles, it was once again met with mixed emotions from the fans.
John McGonigal / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected quarterback Kenny Pickett with the 20th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Pickett struggled during his two years in Pittsburgh, there is no question about that. What is often debated is the fact of why he struggled. Was Pickett just not able to develop as a quarterback? Or was he seriously hampered by a lack of time to develop, or by the questionable work of former Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada?
The why doesn't matter much in football, it's a business. One where teams have to win games. That is why the writing on the wall for Pickett got clearer and clearer after he was replaced by Mason Rudolph at the end of the 2023 season. It seems as though General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin knew something had to give, the team needed to go in a different direction.
That different direction came in the form of a one-year contract for Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson. Pickett wasn't happy about the Wilson acquisition. He felt he would be given yet another chance, a third chance, to start this season until Wilson arrived. Then news broke that Pickett skipped workouts he'd planned with the wide receivers in Florida. He wasn't going to compete for a job he felt was his to begin with.
Gabriel Christus
Former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson signing with the Steelers was the first big splash of the 2024 offseason for the organization.
Now, ensconced in Philadelphia, as a member of his childhood team, Pickett is speaking with the media about leaving Pittsburgh and backing up Jalen Hurts.
"I just thought it was time, it just felt like it was time from the things that transpired. I wanted to get a chance to go somewhere else and continue to grow my career. The fact that it's in Philly, the place I grew up, and found a love for the game here, with a great coaching staff, great players. It's an awesome opportunity here to join this team," said Pickett.
Pickett seems as though he is a bit salty with the organization as a whole. Even though the team, the fans, and the city as a whole opened their arms and welcomed Pickett in, he barely acknowledged the team in his goodbye message.
The choice to send Pickett to Philadelphia was an interesting one, as it seems as though there will be little opportunity for him to be a starter. He wasn't interested in backing up Wilson, but will be in that same position with the Eagles.
Steelers' Kenny Pickett Quickly Replaced
The Steelers signed Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields rather quickly. The going price for Fields had been thought to be a second or third-round pick, but Khan managed to get him for a conditional 2025 late-round pick.
Michael Reaves / Getty Images
Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields meet on the field following a 2023 matchup with their prior teams.
Tomlin has already said that Wilson will be the starter with Fields learning from him. This is the best possible situation for the Steelers who have two possible routes to the future. Wilson is on a bit of a "prove it contract" this season and Fields, whose development was stunted by a bad situation in Chicago, will get a chance to grow and prove himself.
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