The Pittsburgh Steelers’ experiment with former first-round pick Kenny Pickett lasted all of two seasons.
It was earlier this week that Pittsburgh signed Super Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson in NFL free agency after he was released by the Denver Broncos.
The assumption was that Wilson would compete with Pickett for the starting job heading into the 2024 NFL season.
That’s not the case. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pittsburgh has traded Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles for a swap of draft picks.
Pittsburgh Steelers get: 3rd-round pick in 2024, 2 7th-round picks in 2025
Philadelphia Eagles get: Kenny Pickett, 4th-round pick in 2024
A first-round pick out of Pitt back in 2022, Pickett was not good in his two seasons with the Steelers. The stats show that in a big way
This past season saw Pickett throw just six touchdowns in 12 games (all starts). He now gets a change of scenery in Philadelphia. The Eagles needed a backup to Jalen Hurts once Marcus Mariota signed with the division-rival Washington Commanders. They get that in Pickett.
Russell Wilson is now the Pittsburgh Steelers starting QB with Kenny Pickett trade
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Signed to a mere one-year, $1.21 million contract earlier this week, Wilson takes over as Mike Tomlin’s QB1 in Pittsburgh.
The 35-year-old Super Bowl-winning quarterback took a team-friendly deal because Denver is still on the books for a huge portion of the five-year, $242.5 million extension he signed with the team back in 2022.
Wilson’s two-year run in Denver was not great after he put up a brilliant career with the Seattle Seahawks. However, he did throw 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions a season ago.
