NFL Rumors: Pickett Canceled Workout With Steelers WRs After Russell Wilson Contract

zach bacharContributor IMarch 18, 2024

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Prior to his trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett reportedly wasn’t pleased with the team’s decision to sign Russell Wilson.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pickett was dealt on Friday because of his behavior and unhappiness over the arrival of the nine-time Pro Bowl signal-caller who spent the 2023 season with the Denver Broncos.

This included Pickett canceling an out-of-town offseason workout with the Steelers’ wide receivers, which was initially scheduled for the day after Wilson was signed.

The 25-year-old started in 12 games during the 2023 season, although he struggled with the same inconsistency that he previously dealt with as a rookie. In 25 career games played, Pickett has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,070 yards as well as 13 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions.

While his reported unhappiness appeared to stem from the front office’s decision to sign Wilson, he still would have been useful as Pittsburgh’s backup quarterback after the departures of Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky.

Instead, Pittsburgh dealt Pickett to Philadelphia and subsequently traded for Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears on Saturday while sending out a 2025 conditional sixth-round pick in return. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer later revealed that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin informed Fields that Wilson is the team’s starter.

Although Pickett received a change of scenery, he still doesn’t have a starting job. Jalen Hurts is the unquestioned first-string quarterback in Philadelphia after making the Pro Bowl in two straight years as well as leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance. He’s also remained relatively healthy, appearing in all 17 regular-season games during his 2023 campaign.