It is an unusual turn of events for the Steelers to part ways and give up on a first-round pick just three years into his career..
The Russell Wilson signing by the Pittsburgh Steelers did not seem to be the imminent conclusion marking the end of the Kenny Pickett era, although it was going to require a lot of hard work on Pickett’s behalf to get back in the organizations short- and long-term plans.
However, Pickett and the Steelers mutually decided to go their separate ways.
Pickett, a 2022 first-round draft pick out of the University of Pittsburgh by the Steelers, was shockingly dealt to their neighbors to the south, the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, according to ESPN’s senior NFL insider Adam Schefter. The Eagles did not have to give up anything of consequence in the exchange; they will receive a 2024 third-round pick (98), along with two 2025 seventh-round picks and get Pickett and the 120th overall pick back, per Schefter.
It is an interesting and sudden move. Schefter said that Pickett “preferred to move on” after the organization signed Wilson. There was more drama beneath the surface, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Wilson is signed through just one season. After struggling mightily for much of the past two years with the Denver Broncos, Wilson is far from a sure bet to be the Steelers’ answer to their four-year problem at the quarterback position for even the 2024 season. Pickett still had an opportunity to establish himself in the Steelers’ future. He is just 25 years old. But there was a glaring reason the Steelers signed Wilson.
Embed from Getty ImagesPickett showed flashes as a rookie but mostly struggled, and did not take the leap necessary in his second season. Things went from bad to worse when he sustained a high ankle sprain. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph supplied the team with a much needed energy boost when Pickett was sideline, and coach Mike Tomlin stuck with Rudolph for the remainder of the season even when Pickett was healthy. But now, Rudolph is gone to the Tennessee Titans.
The Steelers attempted to put a good face on things in the offseason, saying they still believed in Pickett, but it was very apparent that they would be searching for an upgrade. Wilson came aboard after he was cut by the Broncos, presumably to be the starter.
Pickett had 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 games, 24 of which came as a starter, completely unacceptable. There was optimism that he would improve last season and the Steelers would be set at quarterback for the first time since Ben Roethlisberger retired, but he did not play well even before the ankle injury.
Instead of backing up Wilson or being a part of a quarterback competition to be the starter, Pickett moves to a new situation in which his path to starting is blocked behind Jalen Hurts. It sounds like he wanted and needed a fresh start.
For the Eagles, it is not a huge gamble on a young player who was a first-round pick just a couple years ago. Backup quarterback is a valuable position, and Hurts has had his fair share of injuries in his career. If Pickett develops, it is a good thing for the Eagles no matter how his story ultimately unfolds.
The Steelers find themselves back at the drawing board, trying to figure out their future at quarterback. Pickett did not work out after the Steelers invested the 20th overall pick in him. Wilson is going to turn 36 years old during the 2024 campaign and it is more probable than not that he might never recapture his form from his Seattle Seahawks glory days. Even if he plays his tail off in 2024, would the Steelers be inclined to give him a big contract extension before he turns 37?
The Eagles are already locked in at quarterback with Hurts and could take a shot on building Pickett back up as their No. 2. The Steelers have a starter for this season, though there are huge concerns with him, including his desire to be a celebrity signal caller. They need to reevaluate and commit to a plan for the future at QB.
As for Pickett, he is back to the drawing board too. His Steelers career left a lot of meat on the bone and did not work out as anyone hoped. Maybe Philadelphia will be a better situation for him.
