After signing veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year contract last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t waste time trading two-year starter Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles.
It turns out Pickett was just as anxious to move across the commonwealth as the Steelers were sending him there, cementing the deal a few hours after Wilson was introduced to the media last Friday.
Speaking at a news conference Monday in Philadelphia, Pickett said a “good reset” was needed after his two turbulent seasons with the Steelers.
“I just thought it was time,” Pickett said during a 10-minute news conference. “It felt like it was time from the things that transpired, and I wanted a chance to go somewhere else and continue to grow my career. The fact it’s in Philly, the place I grew up and found a love for the game here. … It’s an opportunity to join this team.”
The Steelers quickly moved on from Pickett after he expressed disappointment with the organization signing Wilson following his release from the Denver Broncos. Pickett was under the belief he would be the starting quarterback entering training camp, but he was informed his role would change after Wilson’s acquisition.
“The communication is what it is,” Pickett said. “It was behind closed doors. I’m confident with the way I handled it. I handled it the way I should have handled it. I’m excited to be here. It worked out so well that Philly was the place I ended up landing in.
“Everything happens for a reason, and I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
The trade involved an exchange of draft picks, with the Steelers moving up 22 spots to get the No. 98 overall selection, which is in the third round. The Eagles got the Steelers’ fourth-round pick, and they will send two seventh-rounders to the Steelers in 2025.
In Philadelphia, Pickett finds himself the backup to Jalen Hurts, a two-time Pro Bowl passer who has led the Eagles to a combined 25-7 record over the past two seasons. He also led the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2022 season.
“I’m ready to help this team any way I can,” Pickett said, adding, “I think this thing is a good reset, getting a chance to play on this team and in the quarterback room with a couple of great guys.”
Pickett, who grew up in Ocean Township, N.J., disputed reports that he declined to serve as the emergency No. 3 quarterback on New Year’s Eve at Seattle when he was recovering from an ankle procedure known as “tight-rope surgery.”
“That goes back to a lot of the communication behind closed doors,” he said. “I didn’t feel like (the portrayal) went the way it was released. There was a plan for that game, and it went down the way it was planned that entire week. I was coming off ankle surgery. It is what it is, but I’m very happy to be here.”
The Steelers invested their 2022 first-round draft pick, No. 20 overall, to select the Heisman Trophy finalist out of Pitt. Pickett went 14-10 in two seasons as a starter, moving into the lineup a month into his rookie season but then never playing again after he injured his ankle in an early December loss against Arizona.
Pickett threw just 13 touchdown passes in two seasons — half the number Wilson threw in 2023 with the Broncos.
“You learn more from the adversities in life than you do your success stories,” Pickett said. “I’m putting my head down (and) going back to work, doing what I love. I love playing the game. I want to get back to having fun.”
He could face his former team in 2024. The Steelers are scheduled to face the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
“I gave everything I had there, and I loved my teammates and my coaches that I came across,” he said. “I had some absolute great memories that I’ll take forever — and some lifelong friendships. … I’m grateful for the time we had together.”
