“Worst QB class ever” – Kenny Pickett’s trade to Eagles means none of the first 6 QBs drafted in 2022 are still starting for their original team, fans react

Kenny Pickett's requested a trade after being upset with the Steelers’ decision to sign the former Broncos quarterback.

“Worst QB class ever” – Kenny Pickett’s trade to Eagles means none of the first 6 QBs drafted in 2022 are still starting for their original team, fans react

Kenny Pickett (Via NFL)

Who knew the Pittsburgh Steelers were planning a trade with Philly when they signed Russell Wilson ahead of the free agency? At that moment, all anyone could talk about was the potential competition between the two quarterbacks at the training camp.

But it turns out, that Kenny Pickett, former Steelers starting quarterback, has been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles mere hours after the franchise welcomed Wilson, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In exchange, the Steelers will get pick No. 98 in the upcoming NFL Drafts and two seventh-round selections in 2025. 

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The 2022 draft’s 20th pick, who was especially praised by owner Art Rooney II for breaking Dan Marino’s college records, failed to live up to the expectations of his draft position. As he was upset with the Steelers’ decision to sign the former Broncos quarterback, he requested a trade. 

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With Pickett’s trade to the Eagles as a backup to Jalen Hurts highlighted a crucial aspect of the 2022 NFL Draft, which fans also noticed. Among all six quarterbacks who were drafted in the first round of the draft, none is still holding the starting position at their original team. Whether be it Desmond Ridder, Malik Willis, Matt Corral, Bailey Zappe, Sam Howell, and now Pickett, all are backups to some other or rather better quarterback to their respective teams. 

Fan reaction to Kenny Pickett being traded to the Eagles 

Even though Pickett cannot be blamed solely for how things turned out with the Steelers as it was also the franchise’s lack of a proper succession plan after the departure of Ben Roethlisberger, it does reflect similar stats to his five peers drafted in 2022. Among the first six quarterbacks drafted in 2022, four are with different teams, and the remaining two have become backups. 

Kenny Pickett
Kenny Pickett (Via AP)

One fan wrote, “Worst QB class ever,” while another wrote, “This is the 2025 class pretty much.” Here are some of the reactions: 

Fans couldn’t help but point out that when all the first picks are backups. The last pick– Brock Purdy is the starter for the San Francisco 49ers and led them to the Super Bowl just recently.

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