Kenny Pickett reportedly didn’t handle Russell Wilson’s arrival at Steelers well which eventually led to him getting traded

Pickett found out that Wilson will play majority of the snaps in 2024.

Kenny Pickett reportedly didn’t handle Russell Wilson’s arrival at Steelers well which eventually led to him getting traded

(L) Russell Wilson and (R) Kenny Pickett (Image via IMAGO)

The signing of Russell Wilson influenced Kenny Pickett‘s trade away from the Pittsburgh Steelers. ‘Around the NFL’ first broke the news, and later NFL insider Tom Pelissero confirmed it.

Wilson became a free agent after the Denver Broncos released him following a contract dispute between the two parties. He was free to talk with any franchise that would agree to give him a new deal. On top of the Broncos must pay him $38 million for the 2024 season.

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He held talks with the New York Giants and then the Pittsburgh Steelers. Eventually, he chose the Steel City as his next destination, where he wants to win his second Super Bowl. The nine-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal. However, what was initially perceived as a team-friendly deal wasn’t the case for Kenny Pickett.

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Pelissero pointed out in his social media post that, before Wilson entered the frame, Tomlin had promised that Pickett would remain their starting quarterback. However, the Steelers head coach reportedly told Pickett that the Super Bowl winner would get first-team reps in the pole position to be QB1.

Kenny Pickett didn’t want to be the backup to Russell Wilson

These claims were backed up by multiple sources closely monitoring the situation. 

Pickett was poorly handling the arrival of Russell Wilson.
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Gerry Dulac revealed on X
Kenny Pickett reportedly didn't handle Russell Wilson's arrival at Steelers well which eventually led to him getting traded
Pittsburgh, PA, USA Oct. 8, 2023, Kenny Pickett during the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens game in Pittsburgh PA at Acrisure Stadium. Brook Ward (Image via IMAGO)

This wasn’t the first occasion he refused to play second fiddle to someone. During the Week 17 game in 2023, he reportedly declined to suit up and sit on the bench behind Mason Rudolph. He later denied the rumors.

Dulac’s words were backed up by MMQB’s Albert Breer in a separate X (formerly Twitter) post.

Can confirm Gerry Dulac's reporting that Kenny Pickett's handling of the Russell Wilson signing was a factor in the Steelers decision. He communicated to the team that he was fine with competing for the job, then went the other way when Wilson was added. So he's gone.
Albert Breer

Pickett joined the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for two 2025 7th-round picks, while swapping the No. 120 pick of the 2024 draft for No. 98. Now, instead of being behind Russell Wilson, he will be behind Jalen Hurts.

Meanwhile, the Steelers officially introduced Wilson as he put pen to paper on his contract. During the press conference, he avoided answering whether Tomlin had offered him the starting QB’s job. Rather, he revealed that he had contacted Pickett soon after the announcement of his move.

As soon as I made the decision to come here, I texted Kenny and got to talk to him. 'Hey, every day we go out there, let's be the best version of ourselves and try to make this team better.
Wilson said on Friday, as per NFL.com‘s Kevin Patra

The 2022 quarterback draft class is turning out to be very underachieving. Besides Pickett, several others who went in the first round have struggled to establish themselves in the league. Those include Desmond Ridder (traded from Falcons to Cardinals), Malik Willis (3rd choice at Patriots), Matt Corral (plays in the USFL), Bailey Zappe (backup at Patriots), and Sam Howell (traded from Commanders to Seahawks).

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