Steelers move on from Pickett with Eagles trade
The Steelers are trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Eagles in a pick swap.
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Why the Steelers moved on from Kenny Pickett (0:52)
As Kenny Pickett heads to the Eagles, check out the numbers behind his rocky start in the NFL. (0:52)
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Brooke Pryor, ESPN Staff Writer Mar 15, 2024, 02:58 PM ET
- Previously covered the Kansas City Chiefs for the Kansas City Star and Oklahoma University for the Oklahoman.
PITTSBURGH -- Shortly after quarterback Russell Wilsonofficially signed his contract with the Steelers, the team traded 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickettto the Eagles.
In a trade announced Saturday, the Steelers will receive a 2024 third-round pick (No. 98) and two 2025 seventh-round picks for Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 120). The deal is pending a physical.
The value is similar to what the Washington Commandersgot from the Seattle Seahawksin exchange for quarterback Sam Howell, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
With the move, Wilson is the only quarterback under contract with the Steelers. Pickett, who finished the season backing up Mason Rudolph, was expected to compete with Wilson in training camp for the starting job. But internally, Wilson was viewed more as the starting quarterback, sources told ESPN. Because of that, according to sources, Pickett preferred to get a fresh start elsewhere.
Pickett, who grew up in New Jersey as an Eagles fan, will now back up Jalen Hurtswith Philadelphia.
In a two-year career with the Steelers -- following six seasons at Pitt-- Pickett went 14-10 in 24 starts and completed 62.6% of his attempts for 4,474 yards. He also threw 13 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.
Pickett was selected out of a subpar quarterback draft class to be the successor to Ben Roethlisberger. His tenure was highlighted by a handful of fourth-quarter comebacks and marred by inept and stagnant offenses and injuries.
After a promising end to his rookie season, which began when he unseated Mitch Trubiskyat halftime of a Week 4 game against the New York Jets, and a sterling preseason, Pickett's second season got off to a rocky start under offensive coordinator Matt Canada. In the first five weeks of the 2023 season, Pickett threw five touchdown passes to four interceptions as the offense struggled to sustain drives. Canada was fired midseason, and after suffering an ankle injury and undergoing TightRope surgery, Pickett didn't see any action over the final five weeks of the regular season.
