“Kenny Pickett clearly wasn’t the answer”- Russell Wilson set to be the QB1 for Pittsburgh Steelers just days after getting released by the Broncos

Russell Wilson is set to sign a one year cut price contract with the Steelers as the competition for Kenny Pickett.

“Kenny Pickett clearly wasn’t the answer”- Russell Wilson set to be the QB1 for Pittsburgh Steelers just days after getting released by the Broncos

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

Although Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that Kenny Pickett will remain the starter in the 2024 season, the potential signing of Russell Wilson may shift the pendulum toward the veteran Super Bowl winner. Following his expensive release from the Denver Broncos, Wilson on Sunday agreed to a one-year price cut with the Steelers.

The 35-year-old flew to Pittsburgh on Friday to take part in an interview with the Steelers front office. As per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the nine-time Pro Bowler has signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal. On top of that, he will also collect $38 million from his soon-to-be former side.

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Wilson’s experience at the top level will compel Tomlin to give him the starting job. They will have to put pen to paper before the March 13 deadline, before Wilson enters free agency.

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Football fans weigh in on Kenny Pickett’s future amidst the signing of Russell Wilson to the Steelers

Now the question arises: What will happen to Kenny Pickett? The 25-year-old has been with the franchise since 2022, but the NFL still isn’t quite sure what sort of quarterback he is. As per general manager Omar Khan, it’s not the local Pittsburgh boy’s fault. Rather, the previous offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, failed to bring the full potential inside of him.

"Kenny Pickett clearly wasn’t the answer"-Russell Wilson set to be the QB1 for Pittsburgh Steelers just days after getting released by the Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) throws in the first quarter of a Week 12 NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals (Image via IMAGO)

In an exclusive interview with Rich Walsh of KDKA, Khan was asked how long it takes to evade a quarterback. He bluntly answered that Pickett was dealt a bad hand.

There’s a lot of factors to it. Not only the player but the situation. Obviously, there’s been some issues with the offense the last couple years.
Khan said

Pickett’s record speaks for itself, with a 13-13 touchdown-interception ratio in 25 career NFL games for the Steelers. Not only that, he also has the lowest touchdown percentage in NFL history (1.8%, minimum 500 pass attempts). This could be one of the many reasons why Tomlin and Khan opted to add Wilson. 

During the last press conference of the 2023 season, Tomin said the next season would be the ‘prove-it’ year for Pickett. The expectations would be high from him, and his wording certainly gave the feeling they wanted some sort of improvement from him.

We met this morning and acknowledged that. It is a huge year for him [Kenny Pickett]. But I’m also excited about just watching him wear that component of it because I know how he’s wired and built.
Tomlin said, as per Steelers Now

There’s one individual who didn’t get another chance was Canada. The Steelers fired him last season and appointed Arthur Smith. His stint as head coach and offensive play caller for the Atlanta Falcons had mixed results. But unlike Smith, Canada had no prior experience as an OC, so he should improve Pickett’s game.

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