Steelers Trade Kenny Pickett to Eagles Following Russell Wilson’s Arrival

The Pittsburgh Steelers have orchestrated a quarterback shakeup, trading Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in the wake of Russell Wilson‘s arrival in Steel City. The trade deal, reported by multiple sources, sees the Steelers sending Pickett and a fourth-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for a third-round pick this year and two seventh-round picks in 2025. The move underscores Pittsburgh’s commitment to the newly acquired Wilson as their QB1.

Kenny Pickett’s time with the Steelers took an unexpected turn following the signing of Russell Wilson, which prompted Pickett to request a trade. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin informed Pickett that Wilson would be taking over as the first-string quarterback, leading to Pickett’s desire to part ways with the team. Pickett, the 2022 20th-overall pick, had initially been seen as the successor to the retired Ben Roethlisberger but faced challenges throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh.

Despite a promising start, Pickett struggled to maintain momentum, battling injuries and performance inconsistencies during his time as a starter. His playing time was further affected by the decision to prioritize Mason Rudolph over him towards the end of the 2023 season, ultimately resulting in Pickett falling out of favor as the team’s primary quarterback. The signing of Wilson solidified the Steelers’ decision to move on from Pickett.

In Philadelphia, Pickett will join the Eagles as the backup to Jalen Hurts, replacing Marcus Mariota in that role. The move to trade Pickett comes as both teams look to solidify their quarterback depth charts ahead of the upcoming season. Steelers’ general manager Omar Khan had expressed confidence in Pickett’s abilities earlier but ultimately supported the trade following the acquisition of Wilson.

The Steelers will now rely on Wilson to lead their offense under the direction of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. As for Pickett, he will have the opportunity to learn and grow under Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni in Philadelphia. The trade marks a significant shift in quarterback dynamics for both the Steelers and Eagles as they prepare for the 2024 NFL season.