Tag: Kenny Pickett

What did Kenny Pickett say about Steelers exit while Super Bowl bound?

Kenny Pickett reflects on his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers as he prepares for Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The grass isn’t always greener—but in the case of former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett, it was. Pickett was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, with hopes of developing him as their franchise QB.

After a rocky two seasons with no favors from the terrible offensive scheme created by OC Matt Canada, the Steelers brought in Russell Wilson in the 2024 offseason to get the offense back on track.

As many fans are well aware, Pickett didn’t take too kindly to the move and subsequently requested a trade—ultimately being sent to the Philadelphia Eagles to play a backup role to QB Jalen Hurts.

During Super Bowl media availability, reporter Alan Saunders asked Pickett about his time with the Steelers.

Pickett, while excited to be a part of Super Bowl LIX, expressed disappointment over the way his Steelers career ended.

Regardless of how anyone feels about Pickett or his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, you can’t help but wish him the very best heading into Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs on February 9 at 6:30 PM EST.

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Howie Roseman explains why Eagles haven’t extended Zack Baun, other key free agents

Eagles GM Howie Roseman could be looking to stack up on compensatory picks after he explained why the Eagles didn’t hand out contract extensions to key 2025 free agents like Zack Baun, Josh Sweat and others

The Eagles have 19 pending free agents, and with some big names looking to cash in, the Philadelphia defense could look quite different in 2024.

During his Super Bowl opening-night press conference, the Eagles GM provided insight into his thinking, explaining to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia why he didn’t extend contracts to several key free agents.

“Once you start doing that, it’s almost like, are you picking favorites?” Roseman said. “And the other guys start saying, ‘What about me?’ And they start playing for themselves as opposed to the team.

“Now, we’ve seen that probably costs you money in the long run as you’re doing it. But when you have an opportunity to compete for a championship, it’s worth that sacrifice I think.”

Philadelphia has several critical free agents who probably want to return to the Eagles but could land massive paydays on the open market. Zack Baun, Mekhi Becton, Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kenneth Gainwell could land lucrative deals when the new league year begins.

Roseman admitted that he watches Baun and Becton’s price tag grow daily but sacrificed potential long-term deals for a Super Bowl run without distractions.

“I’ll do anything for a championship,” Roseman said. “So if that’s the trade-off and maybe we lose a player, I won’t like that, but I’ll take it.”

The six free agents listed above will all have major suitors on the open market, but if those players depart, the Eagles can land upwards of four compensatory picks.

2025 NFL draft: Steelers named top fit for rising quarterback

The Steelers are called a best fit for QB Jaxson Dart.

This year’s quarterback class in the NFL draft is something of a crapshoot. There are plenty of really talented athletes who are available but none that stand out in terms of NFL readiness and polish. This makes any sort of projection for the 2025 NFL draft mostly guesswork.

One player who is making some noise and seems to be rising up draft boards is Ole Miss signal-caller Jaxson Dart. Justin Melo at The Draft Network shared his three best fits for Dart with the Pittsburgh Steelers being the first name on his list.

Here’s what he had to say about Dart with the Steelers.

The Steelers find themselves in an interesting position at quarterback this offseason. They endured a familiar season, qualifying for the playoffs before being dusted aside easily in the wild card round by their arch-rival Baltimore Ravens. Starting QB Russell Wilson is a free agent and may attract interest elsewhere, particularly from his old coach Pete Carroll and the Las Vegas Raiders. Justin Fields is also a free agent and probably won’t be back in Pittsburgh next season after being benched midseason.

Head coach Mike Tomlin may consider taking a swing at a quarterback after misjudging Kenny Pickett’s abilities a few years ago. Drafting a prospect like Dart or Jalen Milroe would give the Steelers another opportunity to find a long-term solution. The Steelers should be intrigued by Dart’s upside.

Dart is part of a group of quarterbacks in the second tier and includes Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Ohio State’s Will Howard. While we have no issue with Pittsburgh drafting any of them including Dart. It just comes down to the pick being value. In 2020 the Steelers panicked and reached for Kenny Pickett and set the franchise back at least four years. They cannot afford to do that again.

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Mark Madden blasts ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett after Eagles NFC title win

Pittsburgh media personality Mark Madden slams Kenny Pickett and fans commenting on the QB’s achievements in Eagles going to the Super Bowl.

In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kenny Pickett is going to the Super Bowl. Only their accomplished feat has zero to do with the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.

Pickett, 26, had two rushing attempts for negative three yards in Philly’s 55-23 trouncing of the Washington Commanders.

Pittsburgh media personality Mark Madden blasted Pickett and fans who had anything to say about the quarterback accomplishing something in the NFC title game.

“Acting like Kenny Pickett accomplished anything yesterday is as cringe as it f***ing gets,” Madden posted on X (formerly Twitter).

While some fans are on the side that Pickett is in the Super Bowl and the Steelers are not, most agree all he accomplished was “riding pine” (a.k.a. sitting on the bench).

Pickett appeared in five games in the 2024-25 season, throwing for 291 yards, two scores and an interception.

Seven other former Steelers seek to earn their first (or second) ring in Super Bowl 59 on Feb. 9.

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Kenny Pickett gets the last laugh? Ex-Steelers QB heads to Super Bowl

Former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett is headed to the Super Bowl with the Eagles, a chance at a ring after the Steelers traded him away.

When Kenny Pickett was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, many fans hoped the former Pitt Panther would lead the Steel City to its seventh Super Bowl championship.

Those dreams were completely dashed when he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason. While the Pittsburgh Steelers will look to make those dreams a reality with Russell Wilson or Justin Fields in 2025, Pickett will have the opportunity to play on football’s grandest stage before either of them with his new team.

The Eagles dominated the Commanders 55-23 in the 2024 NFC Championship Game, giving Pickett the chance to back up QB Jalen Hurts in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The situation is arguably bittersweet. Pickett’s time in Pittsburgh ended before he could prove himself, but now he’s headed to Super Bowl LIX with the Eagles. If he walks away with a ring, it’ll be hard not to wonder if he got the last laugh after the Steelers’ first-round playoff exit in 2024.

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Commanders DC Joe Whitt has a message for the Eagles and Jalen Hurts

Commanders’ DC has a message for Jalen Hurts and Eagles.

Joe Whitt knows Jalen Hurts must be stopped.

The Commanders’ defensive coordinator met with the media Thursday and was very direct regarding Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and his game plan for using Hurts.

Hurts is perhaps the strongest quarterback in the NFL. He is another running back out there when he determines to run.

Whitt candidly offered Thursday, “Well, we’ve had a number of these guys (running quarterbacks) that we’ve had to prepare for. And so, the one thing is, if he’s going to run the ball and if the coordinator makes a decision for him to run the ball, we’re going to treat him like a running back, and we’re going to hit him that way. So, that’s their decision. If they want to get him hit the way that he gets hit, if they don’t, they’ll keep him in the pocket. But that’s what we’re going to do.”

In the teams’ second meeting this season, Hurts ran hard in the first quarter, was hit hard, concussed, and did not return. The Commanders faced Kenny Pickett the rest of the day rather than Hurts.

Yes, it is a message from Whitt. It is a message that Hurts can’t think he can run down the field and not expect to get hit like a running back would.

It may also remind officials that Hurts should not be guaranteed extra protection once he leaves the pocket.

However, the Eagles and NFL officials will interpret Whitt’s message, his defense must get after Hurts and contain Hurts in the pocket, or it will be a long day for the Commanders’ defense.

Failed drafts a huge reason for Steelers shortcomings

Kevin Colbert failed bigtime in his final five drafts.

If a team wants to be a consistent winner, doing well in the NFL draft is a top priority. First and second-round picks are typically the impact guys early and develop into the best players on the team. This fact is what makes the list of players below so frustrating.

From 2018 to 2022, Kevin Colbert was the Steelers general manager and based on these picks, it feels like he played a five-year prank on the franchise before leaving. Here is the rundown of the top two picks fro each of Colbert’s last five drafts.

  • S Terrell Edmunds: 28th overall in 2018
  • WR James Washington: 60th overall in 2018
  • LB Devin Bush Jr.: 10th overall in 2019
  • WR Chase Claypool: 49th overall in 2020
  • RB Najee Harris: 21st overall in 2021
  • TE Pat Freiermuth: 55th overall in 2021
  • QB Kenny Pickett: 20th overall in 2022
  • WR George Pickens: 52nd overall in 2022

We didn’t include 2023 or 2024 in this for a couple of reasons. First, those aren’t Colbert drafts and this is the point. Also, those draft classes are just too early to pass judgement on.

There’s a real possibility when the 2025 season starts, the only player on this list still on the Steelers roster is tight end Pat Freiermuth. Running back Najee Harris is about to hit free agency and we won’t be at all shocked if the Steelers trade troubled wide receiver George Pickens.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles holds a 10-0 lead over the Packers

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two …

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two interceptions.

Philadelphia lost linebacker Nakobe Dean to a knee injury and will look to finish drives and capitalize on Packers turnovers.

With the second half underway, here are seven takeaways from the first half.

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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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WATCH: A.J. Brown gifts fan a signed jersey after tossing Tanner McKee’s first TD ball into stands

Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown gifts a fan a jersey after throwingTanner McKee’s first TD ball into stands

The Eagles are rolling in Week 17, taking a 34-7 lead over the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field after Tanner McKee hooked up with A.J. Brown for a 20-yard touchdown.

Afterward, an excited Brown threw the ball high up into the fans section at Lincoln Financial Field and didn’t realize he made a gaffe until he reached the sideline.

Big Dom had to go get it 😂 pic.twitter.com/wbCh01iI7p

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024

A second-year player and former sixth-round pick out of Stanford, McKee has never thrown a touchdown pass during a regular season game, and the play to Brown was his first NFL touchdown.