Category: Kenny Pickett

Steelers’ late-season collapse proves Kenny Pickett wasn’t the problem

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive struggles persist despite new quarterbacks, raising questions about coaching and front office decisions.

One of the biggest criticisms of the Pittsburgh Steelers over the past few seasons has been their inability to get quality play out of the quarterback position. The Black and Gold faithful hoped that the acquisitions of QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in 2024 would change that.

However, the Wilson- and Fields-led offense finished with the same mediocre 10-7 record as the Kenny Pickett-led 2023 Steelers.

In 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers finished 25th in total passing offense under Pickett, Trubisky, and Rudolph, while Wilson and Fields led the Steel City to a similar fate in 2024: ranked 24th in passing offense with an incredibly underwhelming improvement of just 101 yards.

The statistical evidence doesn’t lie: if Fields and Wilson aren’t to blame, neither was Pickett.

All three QBs had to deal with incompetent offensive play-calling, terrible pass protection, and questionable decision-making by HC Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin’s refusal to accept blame for his hiring of subpar offensive coordinators is second to none, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are unlikely to improve on offense until the front office gets involved.

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Terry Bradshaw says Steelers were wrong to move on from Kenny Pickett

Terry Bradshaw believes the Pittsburgh Steelers made a mistake moving on from Kenny Pickett, sparking debate over the team’s decision.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had no choice but to move on from Kenny Pickett…right?

Although the former Steelers QB requested a trade following the Russell Wilson signing, some have argued that Pickett was a bust after two failed years in the Black and Gold. However, one legendary quarterback—one with four Super Bowl victories to his name—believes the team should never have moved on from Pickett.

Former Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw, now a Fox analyst, made this bold statement while discussing the Eagles-Cowboys Week 17 matchup with fellow analyst Jay Glazer: “They [Steelers] should have never gotten rid of Pickett.”

While fans may be quick to remind the legendary quarterback of Pickett’s reported trade request during the 2024 offseason, one could argue that Kenny saw the writing on the wall within the Steelers organization.

Wilson has provided the Pittsburgh Steelers with a veteran presence and a breath of fresh air, but questions still remain about who will be the Black and Gold’s future signal-caller in 2025 and beyond.

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Blast from the past: Kenny Pickett reunites with Ex-Steelers teammates

Eagles Kenny Pickett reunited with former Pittsburgh Steelers teammates, proving that relationships can endure beyond a difficult departure.

Although ‘Kenny Football’ had a rather tumultuous exit from the Pittsburgh Steelers this past offseason, it appears there is no bad blood from either side of the relationship.

Kenny Pickett hasn’t been on the same field as the Pittsburgh Steelers during the regular season since the 2023 Week 18 contest on January 6th earlier this year. Ignoring the fact that Pickett had seemingly given up the opportunity to earn back the admiration of his Black and Gold teammates, he was seen reconciling and reuniting with former teammate TE Pat Freiermuth, as well as his former head coach Mike Tomlin.

Some things are simply bigger than football. Relationships, such as the ones Pickett developed with his former teammates over the two-year span he spent as a Pittsburgh Steeler, are more meaningful than any drama stemming from leaving the Steel City. Perhaps a Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Super Bowl could be on the horizon for both Pennsylvania-based NFL teams in 2024, and the Steelers could once again catch up with their former QB.

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Eagles QB Kenny Pickett will witness firsthand why Steelers ousted him

The Pittsburgh Steelers face their former QB Kenny Pickett in Week 15 as Russell Wilson continues to prove he’s the upgrade they needed.

Sorry, Kenny Pickett: Russell Wilson has been everything you weren’t for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And now, Pickett has a front-row seat to see exactly why the Steel City opted to bring in some much-needed quarterback expertise during the 2024 offseason.

The ‘Kenny Football’ experience in Pittsburgh came to an abrupt end when the former Steelers QB requested a trade, declining to compete for the starting job with Wilson heading into 2024.

For fans of the Black and Gold, his 13 touchdowns to 13 interceptions, six fumbles, and a well below-average 6.3 yards per attempt over two years in Pittsburgh made it easy to support a QB change.

Regardless of the outcome of Week 15’s contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Wilson remains a clear upgrade over Pickett. Backup Titans quarterback and former Steeler Mason Rudolph set the blueprint for Pickett’s turbulent exit, leaving his only notable Steelers accomplishment as beating the inconsistent Mitchell Trubisky for the starting quarterback job.

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Ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett ‘shaky’ in Eagles-Patriots matchup

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett had a lackluster showing for the Philadelphia Eagles in week two of the NFL preseason.

Every Steelers fan’s favorite traded quarterback, Kenny Pickett, was sacked four times in a performance called “shaky” by Nick Tricome of the “Philly Voice.”

In addition to the sacks, Pickett only managed a 6.09-yard average, going 11-of-13 for 67 yards. He took two sacks in game one of the preseason but did throw for a touchdown and 89 yards.

Tanner McKee, No. 3 on Philadelphia’s depth chart, had a far better game-two showing, passing for 140 yards on 15 completions and a game-winning touchdown.

Pickett’s lackluster performance has Tricome doubting whether Pickett fits the bill as No. 2 behind Jalen Hurts.

“The main thing is, this is the second preseason in a row now where McKee has looked pretty poised and methodical in moving the football,” Tricome wrote.

“Pickett was signed on to be Hurts’ backup, but at what point do you really start giving McKee some serious second-team looks if you’re Nick Sirianni and the Eagles’ coaching staff?”

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NFL analyst rips former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett for forcing his way out of Pittsburgh

Kenny Pickett made himself a hostage according to Rich Eisen.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers spent a first-round pick on quarterback Kenny Pickett, we were all cautiously optimistic that the Steelers saw something we didn’t. But fast forward to the 2024 offseason and Pittsburgh has moved on after just two years, trading Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles.

But the trade was not to make room for new quarterback Russell Wilson. Not at all. The Steelers were willing to keep Pickett as Wilson’s backup and give him an opportunity to learn behind a future Hall of Famer. Something he never got in his previous two seasons.

But that didn’t work out as it was reported that Pickett didn’t handle the news well and wanted to be traded. Rich Eisen talked about the situation Pickett put himself in and didn’t hold back about what he thought was a mistake by Pickett.

“You are going to get a first crack at a starter job and then the kid who was there, Kenny Pickett, made himself a hostage,” Eisen said. “They then volunteered to send him to Philly.”

Pickett’s situation only went from bad to worse if he was looking for a chance to start. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is entrenched as the franchise quarterback and isn’t going anywhere. Had Pickett stayed with the Steelers, he could have been looking at another chance to start as early as 2025. Once Pickett was traded away, the Steelers made another move to trade for former Justin Fields quarterback Justin Fields.

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Ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett sounds like a quitter

The Steelers moved on from Kenny Pickett after he requested a trade.

Things didn’t work out between the Pittsburgh Steelers and new Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickett was the local hero and the Steelers first-round pick but after just two tumultuous seasons, Pickett is out and the Steelers have completely rebuilt their depth chart with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

Pickett spoke to the media as a member of the Eagles this week and talked about how things ended with the Steelers and that fateful game last season where he reportedly refused to dress for the game as the team’s third quarterback.

“I just thought it was time,” Pickett said. “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.”

Pickett reportedly asked for a trade shortly after he was informed that the team was signing Wilson as a free agent. He did this, presumably because he didn’t feel like he’d have a chance to compete for the starting job. Now he finds himself in Philadelphia where Jalen Hurts is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and he’s relegated to backup once again.

“I handled it the way I should’ve handled it,” Pickett went on. The more that comes out about this situation, the more it sounds like Pickett quit on his team last season and felt entitled to his job back after it. I’m glad the Steelers didn’t feel that same way and he is clearly a guy who couldn’t handle the idea of an earned demotion.

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QB Kenny Pickett slights Steelers in farewell message

Ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett posted his farewell message on Instagram this afternoon.

Kenny Pickett’s time with the Pittsburgh Steelers was a rocky one and eventually led to his cross-state trade to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The former Steelers quarterback took two days to pen his farewell letter, and even then, he failed to mention the team that selected him at No. 20 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

Pickett posted to Instagram this afternoon:

“Thank you, Pittsburgh! I came to this city 7 years ago and my life changed forever. Grateful for all of the amazing people I was fortunate enough to cross paths with, and for all of those who supported me along the way. I made life-long friendships and relationships that I will always cherish. Now, I am honored and excited for the next opportunity in my career – being able to play for the team that helped me find my love for the game as a kid. Go Birds!!”

Pickett’s last season in the black and gold was filled with drama. Ultimately, what did him in was Pittsburgh’s decision to sign free agent quarterback Russell Wilson and perhaps even the process they were in to trade for Justin Fields.

Pickett wasn’t about to slide from QB1 to QB3 behind Wilson and Fields, and he demanded a trade, which the Steelers granted.

The third-year quarterback now gets to fulfill a dream of being on the roster of the team he grew up cheering for. Barring injury to Jalen Hurts, though, preseason will be the only time he takes the field.

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A post shared by Kenny Pickett (@kennypickett8)

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Ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett’s situation goes from bad to worse with Eagles

If ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett thought he had it bad in Pittsburgh, just wait.

We’re learning more and more about Kenny Pickett and his character after the stunning trade to the Philadelphia Eagles.

According to Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac, this trade was prompted by Pickett’s behavior at the end of last season and how he handled the news of Russell Wilson joining the team.

It’s one thing to back up a bridge veteran on the downside of his career, but now Pickett heads to Philadelphia — where the fans and media are far worse than he’s endured in Pittsburgh — to back up MVP-caliber quarterback Jalen Hurts, who got paid a boatload of money in 2023.

There’s no telling if Pickett would’ve worked his way up to QB1 after Wilson’s contract with the Steelers ended, but he would’ve at least had an opportunity where he definitely won’t in Philly.

Philadelphia is no place for a quarterback with a fragile ego. Pickett will be eaten alive.

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Steelers beat writer shares insight on Kenny Pickett trade

According to reports, Kenny Pickett asked for a trade.

The Pittsburgh Steelers went from a legitimate quarterback competition between Russell Wilson and Kenny Pickett to sending Pickett across Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia Eagles. How did this come together so quickly? According to Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac, this trade was prompted by Pickett’s behavior at the end of last season as well as how he handled the news of Wilson joining the team.

Last season was a nightmare for Pickett and by extension the Steelers offense. When Pickett suffered his high ankle sprain he had a tightrope procedure to try and get back on the field sooner. But because Mason Rudolph played so well in his absence, the team opted to leave him sidelined and according to Dulac, Pickett refused to dress for the team’s Week 17 game because he was healthy but would have been listed as the emergency quarterback.

We don’t know the details of conversations this offseason but no one should be surprised that Pickett was upset about the team signing Wilson. Here is what NFL reporter Tom Pelissero reported about how everything went down.

Mike Tomlin had promised Kenny Pickett he’d get a chance to compete. Pickett learned about the Russell Wilson signing on social media Sunday night. When they spoke the next morning, Tomlin told Pickett that Wilson was in pole position and would get the first reps. So, Pickett asked for a trade. Now he’s an Eagle.

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