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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is leaving for the Philadelphia Eagles, according to a report.
The Steelers will send Pickett to the Eagles in a pick swap. NFL expert Adam Schefter reported on X, citing ESPN sources. Once the Steelers signed former Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, Schefter said Pickett “preferred to move on.”
The Eagles will get Pickett and the Steelers’ original fourth-round pick, 120th overall, in 2024, while the Steelers will get the Eagles’ entire third-round pick, 98th overall, and the two highest seventh-round picks of the Eagles in 2025. NFL Network Ian Rapoport reported.
Why did the Steelers trade Kenny Pickett?
The news came hours later. Steelers introduced Russell Wilson at a press conference. The plan was for Kenny Pickett to compete with Wilson for the starting job.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reportedciting sources, that the Steelers traded Pickett because of the way he “was mishandling the arrival of Russell Wilson.”
When Pickett was injured last season, third-string player Mason Rudolph led the Steelers to the playoffs after an ineffective Mitch Trubisky was benched. Rudolph, free agent, would be signing with the Tennessee Titans, and Trubisky was released by the team in February. He signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Pickett was selected No. 20 overall by the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft outside the University of Pittsburgh after the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
During his time in Pittsburgh, Pickett made 24 starts, going 14-10. He passed for 4,474 yards for 13 touchdowns and had 13 interceptions. He had ankle surgery in December and was left out when Rudolph took over. Dulac also reported that Pickett refused to suit up in Week 17 against Seattle.
Wilson was officially released by the Broncos earlier this week and will join the Steelers on a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million. At Friday’s news conference, Wilson said he’s grateful to be in Pittsburgh.
“Obviously, being a Pittsburgh Steeler, it’s a great tradition to be able to compete and be able to go to work with these guys every day. It’s the gift of this game, to enjoy the process of it all,” Wilson said.
At the news conference, Wilson avoided questions about competing for the starting quarterback position.
Kenny Pickett to the Eagles
The Eagles have reportedly acquired Kenny Pickett as the team’s backup quarterback. He slides behind starter Jalen Hurts, who signed a five-year contract extension with the team in 2023.
Quarterback Tanner McKee is also on the roster, but he doesn’t have the NFL experience that Pickett does. McKee was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 draft out of Stanford.
Marcus Mariota was Philadelphia’s backup quarterback last season, but the Eagles were looking for a new one after Mariota. signed with Washington commanders this off season.
Pickett joins an Eagles team that has made the playoffs six times in the last seven seasons. The team won Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots and lost Super Bowl LVII to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Wild Card weekend last season after finishing second in the NFC East.
The trade also brings Pickett closer to home. He grew up in New Jersey and was an Eagles fan.
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