So much for Russell Wilson needing to compete for the Steelers’ starting job. Hours after the Steelers announced the Wilson signing, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports they are preparing to trade Kenny Pickett to the Eagles.
The Steelers will indeed send Pickett to the Eagles in a pick-swap trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Two years remain on the former first-rounder’s contract. Pickett will be set to back up Jalen Hurts in Philly. Here is how the trade will break down:
Eagles receive:
- Kenny Pickett
- 2024 No. 120 overall pick
Steelers receive:
- 2024 No. 98 overall pick
- Eagles’ two highest 2025 seventh-round choices
Demoted for Mason Rudolph late last season, Pickett wanted to move on. While competition was reported initially, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicates the behind-closed-doors understanding upon the Steelers signing Wilson pointed to the former Pro Bowler being the starter and Pickett staying at QB2. Pickett, then, preferred a fresh start, Schefter adds.
This development may not have been the team’s plan when the offseason began. Mike Tomlin had said Pickett would be given the QB1 job but that he would need to earn it by winning a competition. The Steelers did not observe Pickett handle the Wilson news well, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. After indicating he was fine competing for the job, Pickett soured on the situation once the Wilson signing became imminent, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets.
Following Pickett’s disappointment when the team kept Rudolph in the lineup late last year — a stretch that featured Pickett, per Dulac, refusing to dress as the emergency third QB in Week 17 — the team is moving on. Pickett had made it clear to teammates he thought he was the better option to close last season, via ESPN’s Kimberley Martin. Some in the building, however, believed Rudolph was the better option for 2024. In fairness to Pickett, veteran reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala indicates the Steelers reneged on their pledge that he would compete for the job upon informing him Wilson would take over.
Famous for his “volunteers, not hostages” M.O., Tomlin will sign off on this early separation. Rudolph has since signed with the Titans, putting the Steelers in the market for a backup QB once again. They released Mitch Trubisky earlier this year; he has since returned to the Bills.
A New Jersey native, Pickett grew up an Eagles fan. He then became quite familiar with the Steelers while playing at Pitt. The Steelers chose Pickett 20th overall in 2022, naming him as Ben Roethlisberger‘s heir apparent. But Pickett has not shown much to indicate he could fill those shoes. He will now join Sam Howell and Desmond Ridder as 2022 draftees (and primary 2023 starters) traded over the past two days. The 2022 draft class received low marks at the time; other than Brock Purdy, the early returns have not been good.
Due to signing bonus proration, the Steelers will eat more than $8MM in dead money on this trade. Of course, they are set to pay their new starter the veteran minimum as the Broncos pick up the tab. Wilson alluded to a potential competition at his morning presser Friday, but it is probably clear he was informed that would not happen. Two years remain on Pickett’s rookie contract; the Eagles will have the 25-year-old passer tied to $985K and $2.6MM base salaries.
Pickett ranked 27th in QBR last season and 20th in 2022. The ’22 placement came well ahead of Wilson, who submitted a stunningly woeful season alongside Nathaniel Hackett in his Denver debut. Wilson improved under Sean Payton, but the Broncos still bailed — after some back-and-forth drama — before the veteran’s 2025 salary could become guaranteed this month. The Steelers have largely used homegrown rookies at quarterback this century, going from Roethlisberger to Pickett. While Kordell Stewart held the reins for much of the previous decade, the team did use free agent pickup Tommy Maddox in what became a stopgap capacity ahead of Roethlisberger’s near-two-decade-long tenure.
Wilson, 35, will be set to operate in a bridge capacity as well. Though, it should not be expected the Steelers use a high draft choice to add an heir apparent this year. Despite Wilson’s step back in Denver — one that could potentially threaten his Hall of Fame status — Pittsburgh is set to give him the keys. Dulac adds this is the quickest the Steelers have jettisoned a first-round pick since releasing 1996 Round 1 tackle Jamain Stephens following his second season.
On Feb. 29, GM Omar Khan said he had full faith in Pickett. While he cited competition as important for the would-be third-year starter, a recent report also indicated a meeting between the QB and new OC Arthur Smith went well. But the Wilson news emerged soon after. While Wilson has not shown much of his Seahawks form since the 2022 blockbuster trade, Pickett winning a potential competition seemed unrealistic. There will now be no competition involving Pickett this year, as Hurts is entrenched as the Eagles’ starter.
Pickett has thrown just 13 touchdown passes in 25 games, starting 24 of those. Although the Steelers rolled out a poor offense for most of Pickett’s tenure, he showed some promise late in his rookie season. But 2022’s top QB pick did not build on that form last season. This led to OC Matt Canada being fired. This preceded a Pickett ankle injury that required surgery. The 6-foot-3 passer will carry just a 6.3 yards-per-attempt figure to Philly, which did not re-sign Marcus Mariota this offseason.
bruh
Bruh bruh
Steelers Country let’s ride
So, who’s gonna backup Russ in Pitt now??
Open competition, ‘Invincible’ style. Better work on that spiral if you want a shot.
Ryan Tannehill. Maybe by this time tomorrow if he’s willing to do it. He knows the offense.
If Arthur Smith has his way Tannehill will be starting week 1…but only if he’s listed second on the depth chart lol
Who knows. Zac Wilson is still out there. So is Carson Wentz. Logan Woodside.
Brian Hoyer? He’s briefly been a Steeler before.
I think teams are hoping the Jets will actually add in a 6th or 7th rd pick to dump Wilson’s contract. It is fully guaranteed and trading him saves the team $5.5 mil
They have until training camp before his roster bonus kicks in. No way he can be in that locker room with all the burned bridges.
I don’t think so. Wilson is looking like a minimum contract 3rd QB. No team wants him at his current price, and the entire point of late round picks is cost control for non-starters. Doesn’t make sense to pay extra money to get a pick whose value is derived from its low salary cap hit.
That’s true, but there’s plenty of teams with more cap space than they know what to do with. Getting an extra pick is just getting another shot at landing a young player with potential.
Tim Jackson is still available
Josh Rosen still in the league??
He is lol
Jimmy G?
Jimmy would have to take way less but I can see that
Just went to the Rams
Timing lol
Jimmy’s in LA now backing up Stafford.
Bo Nix. The Steelers will trade up.
Someone else
A little curious by Pittsburgh. Don’t they need a backup? Trubisky, Rudolph, and now Pickett all gone. Probably should have kept Rudolph.
They only signed Wilson for one year, right? Seems likely they’ll draft one.
All he was going to get was a one year deal on the heels of that massive contract. It’s a prove it season.
I get that. Seems like a fit for drafting a QB, even if one who’s going to be there on day two, like Rattler.
Ryan Tannehill is still available and would give Steelers a better QB room.
Joshua Dobbs
Carson Wentz
Can always draft a QB
I think a very underrated QB prospect is Taulia Tagovailoa
I’d say that’s nailed on now with Smith as OC
Pick 98 seems like an excellent spot for Jordan Travis to come off the board
Rudolph understandably seemed to prefer a fresh start elsewhere than the possibility of being #3 again. I think that Pickett didn’t react to the Wilsonsigning well and forced their hand. I also think that Rudolph’s reticence to return, or contract demands, or both, steered them towards Wilson in the first place.
They could sign a street free agent and have better odds if Wilson gets hurt.
I think the Steelers turned their back on Kenny too quickly. Tough to do anything under Canada. I get the trade though. Tough to have a qb breathing down your neck, regardless who the starter was. I hope the best for him. Here we go
It’s almost comical how little time teams are willing to commit to “developing” QB prospects out of college now. Decades ago these guys would get a couple of years mentoring at the minimum. Now they get drafted by teams that have little OL line support and/or poor receiving weapons, are thrown to the wolves and expected to succeed.
Did you watch him play? They stayed with him too long. Some people just can’t play, and it’s very obvious. You lose credibility with other players when you trot a guy out there just because of draft status.
Pickett won a lot more than he lost with a historically bad OC. Is he an all-pro qb? No. But I would have liked to see him without Canada. Things didn’t work out though. It is what it is
I don’t understand this thinking. 24 starts. And with Tomlin, who oversees everything I mean, you don’t think the offense was geared to his “strengths?” I would think their willingness to quickly dump him like this says as much
Like you, I applauded his selection. I’d hoped he’d be the franchise guy. But between running into pressure because he was nervous, the inability to read defenses and especially to hit receivers in stride deep, it was obvious that he’s not the starter
Canada was in over his head. But you can’t tell me he didn’t do things without Tomlin’s approval
I think part of it was his attitude. Kid acted entitled, needed to earn it. Get a potential HOF QB at a bargain and he’s pouting. Could learn from others.
I would think a lot of college prospects drafted high enter the league thinking they are the greatest thing since sliced bread but isn’t teaching them the proper mindset to survive in the league part of the development and mentoring process?
This means they draft one in the second maybe third round? If Penix slips in the second?
Standing ovation for Tomlin, Khan and company admitting they made a big mistake
If as it sounds that Pickett didn’t want to compete for the starting job or maybe develop behind Russell for a year or so, then Kenny made the decision for them.
Lends credence to the idea that Pickett declined to dress for the Seahawks game and pouted when Rudolph had his run
Maybe, I had forgotten about those reports. If so, this move is in some ways similar to the Dionte’s Johnson trade: clear out the guys who don’t necessarily want to be here. Volunteers not hostages, as Tomlin has said.
When does Pickens get traded then? He definitely didn’t look like he was buying in
Pickens is a different case. He’s not fought with teammates like DJ or refused to accept possible demotion like Pickett. Pickens is just young and emotionally immature and a work in progress still.
You do make a valid point, but if anything I think that Pickens know knowing he’s the Number 1 for Russell Wilson reassures him a bit… but at the same time, now it’s out up or shut up for GP.
I’m glad the message is finally being sent to the locker room. Team before individual. And these two trades should send a clear message to everyone left that the Steelers aren’t afraid to trade them as well if they put themselves ahead of the team. Hopefully it sinks in.
“There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a 2,” Pickett said. “If I was healthy enough to play, and the trainers and coaches felt like I looked good enough to play, I was going to start and play. If they believed that I was not — which they believed I was not — I was not going to dress and suit up for the game.”
If you’re giving credence to rumors started on social media, you are a problem.
Totally Agree. National Media was killing them for being too loyal and not moving on. Wonder how many of them will applaud this deal, probably not many.
Kahn didn’t draft him. That was the last GM.
Colbert drafted Kenny Small Hands. Kahn had nothing to do with that loser pick.
Standing ovation?
For taking a guy in the first round with a second-round grade?
Then throwing him into the fire when he’s clearly not ready?
Such a low bar.
Pickett wanted a fresh start backing up a younger QB?
I doubt Philly is his preferred destination but Steelers are not under any obligation to send him where he wants. Pickett lacked leverage in this situation which is why he’s going where he is.
He lacked leverage last season before he started pouting. His first two seasons’ performance didn’t give him the upper hand. We all have egos, but we also have to realize our skills, abilities, and limitations and where we are in the pecking order. Not realizing that often makes for quick exits.
Ouch. Painful outcome, brutal last first rounder for Colbert, but good for them not clinging to an old decision. It would have been romantic for them to find a franchise QB who was already in the building in college, but I was always skeptical that a guy who took five seasons to be good in the ACC was going to be an NFL star.
Justin Fields landing spot??
I doubt it with Russ there
One year deal for Russ only. I would take a gamble on Fields over Russ
I agree completely, but they should have just went and got Fields. I don’t see them getting Fields to sit behind Russ for a year or Russ being a good backup for Fields.
As a DU grad, I’d love it. But Pitt really deserves a spot no matter
Wilson on a one year deal and no backup
They now have 2 3rd round picks….
Something cooking for fields?
Maybe, but I’m more inclined to think they sign Tannehill and draft a developmental project type of QB.
I thought Rudolph and Pickett were the developmental type of quarterbacks? Going into the season with a quarterback that is 11-19 in his last 2 years doesn’t sound like a great plan
They were. And they failed miserably in developing them. But they aren’t going to and shouldn’t be drafting one in the first round this year. And they have an actual legitimate OC for a change, so maybe they can develop one now.
Mason to titans and Kenny to eagles Steelers are absolutely drafting a QB. Only questions are when and whom are they drafting?
Now watch as Pittsburgh funnels some of those draft choices to the Jets in return for Zach Wilson, who’ll quickly be Russell Wilson’s backup.
No one is going to trade for Wilson and his contract
If they trade for anyone it would be Fields
Bears have bigger priorities right now and one of them is trying to extort a government-funded sportsball palace from the corrupt city of Chicago.
I still say Fields ends up in Vegas but I could see it playing out this way. Fields learns behind Wilson like Love did in GB. Guess it depends on the young man’s mindset, really.
Better athlete, better QB than Pickett but if he has the same idea about starting immediately why would they bother?
The problem with this Fields idea is that you have to decide on his fifth year option this offseason. So either you’re only acquiring him for the year you’re sitting him or you’re sitting him while having committed to paying him over $20 million guaranteed in 2025.
Yep, you’re right. Wouldn’t make a great deal of sense
I think the option issue this offseason is an under-discussed factor in potential Fields trades. If he had one more cheaper year before the option decision was due, he’d be much easier to value.
Crazier sh*t has happened bro lmao. Nice call. In my head I think McVay wants a younger backup for Stafford to mold. Wentz is a free agent and Stetson behind the scenes has been struggling with personal issues the front office won’t share. Zac behind Stafford and learning from McVay or in Pitt behind Russ makes good sense.
Suddenly the clouds opened up in Pittsburgh gloom. Skenes looks phenomenal for the Pirates. Pens win. Pitt and Duquesne advancing in hoops. Now this.
I have to go out and play the powerball
Imagine the irony if Duquesne stole Pitt’s tourney spot and played at PPG in the first round!
I wonder if pickett didnt succeed because of those small hands of his? Or was it a lack of talent?
Probably both plus inept coaching.
It’s that Burger King commercial
If he didn’t want to compete for his spot, I don’t want him there either. And now he has no shot to start. I’ve got no I’ll will towards, Kenny, he’s been hamstrung by awful coaching and little to no support in Pittsburgh, but if he indeed asked out then he made a colossal mistake.
I guess the strategy is: if Wilson gets back to Super Bowl form…great! If he does as he did in Denver, then the Steelers tank the season and draft a top QB in the 2025 draft?
No they’re drafting one this year now, just not on Day One.
If Wilson is in Denver form, they’ll still be way better than a bottom five team. Wilson wasn’t worse in Denver last year than Pittsburgh’s quarterbacks were.
I hate this team so much sometimes.
Wow just wow this is the most shocking fee agent move my jaw dropped. I didn’t think Tomlin would move off him so fast !
Tomlin has made it very clear over the last few months that he’s tired of having guys around who either don’t want to be there or think that they’re entitled to special treatment. He’s not the same coach who seems to let guys like Ben and AB get away with whatever they wanted to do. Chuks Okarafor complained within Tomlin’s earshot, and never played much again. Diontae Johnson kept acting the fool and apparently suggests that he might want to be traded, now he’s gone. And now Kenny supposedly doesnt want to compete for the starting job? Bye. Tomlin and Omar Khan seem to be very willing to clear out the malcontents sooner rather than later,
Omar said just a few weeks ago he had faith in Kenny longterm. You must be on to something. Most viable backups have signed to teams. Mason left for titans. For Tomlin to move off of Pickett they must have had a sour conversation(s) and Kenny must have not wanted to compete or didn’t approve of Russ coming there. Hmmm
That’s what’s been getting reported over the past hour or so in Pittsburgh. And the same kind of reports came out last season when Rudolph kept starting late in the season even once Pickett returned to health. I didn’t really believe them then. I sure do now.
If so then damn. Kenny could have handled it better for sure
Russ made a point of noting that he reached out to Pickett who said that he welcomed him here and wanted to work to make the team better
Lot of poker faces in these parts, I guess. Tomlin saying Kenny was number one at his last press conference, Rooney, Khan and Pickett himself
He had to say that. Jet brass was saying the same about Zach Wilson a year ago. They were all horrified four snaps into their season they had to trot that guy back out there.
I think Tomlin realized he had a fractured locker room and was in danger of losing the team. So thankfully he is resetting the culture. Hopefully a young guy like Pickens takes note and realizes he could be next if he repeats some of his 2023 behaviors
I think when you have guys like Minkah going after a player about effort or another like Najee making comments about guys doing their jobs and you know both came from winning cultures at Alabama, it speaks volumes.
You’re right. This obviously wasn’t just the coaching staff trying to rein in malcontents. And Cam and Minkah talking to Russ for over an hour in hopes of him signing here was icing on the cake.
Like @MonkeysUncle says, good riddance
If so, good for Tomlin and Khan. And I’m a Browns fan.
This is…unexpected.
I thought last year’s free agency opening week was the craziest thing I’d seen in 40 plus years of a Steeler fandom. I wasn’t even in the same area code of being right.
And it ain’t over yet
Hard to believe they’ll rely on the draft to stock the wideout room, no matter how deep it may be
Big mistake
Reports in Pittsburgh are starting to come out that Pickett’s reactions to the Wilson deal are the reason for Pickett being traded. And if so, I’m all for it. Volunteers not hostages.
I would have preferred getting Fields to back up Hurts. Never liked Pickett but I guess as a backup it’s okay.
It could still happen now with Fields. I wouldn’t put money on it happening, but the idea has to be back on the table at least.
???
Oops… I misread which team he was talking about.
Fields seems to fit the style better. Of course, I think that Fields would fit best in Baltimore as a backup, but Philadelphia would have also had some similar concepts I think.
My guess is they will sign Tannehill as a backup and draft a QB later on in the draft. What they will probably do is trade for Fields by the end of the day considering how crazy this week has been.
Well, I was off by a day
Steelers gonna draft the future after Russ in this deep QB draft class, about 7 or 8 guys would be better than Pickett in this draft! I see them trading up with the extra draft capital for someone they’ve graded high in maybe the 2nd or 3rd round(Penix, Nix, Rattler or injured Jordan Travis even) to sit a year behind Russ! 🙂
As a fan who wanted Pickett to succeed and quieten the doubters, I have to say I’m relieved he’s gone. I really don’t like Wilson, but believe he’s better value for 2024. The only problem is they’re back to square one for the future – unless they pull off a trade for Fields.
Trade for Fields and let him compete fully with Wilson for the starting job. Sign Tannenhill as #3.
That’s the optimal remaining QB situation for the Steelers.
And it’s both affordable and attainable.
Depends on Fields, doesn’t it? What would it accomplish to bring in a young QB who will be a malcontent if he loses the competition you write of? They already had this situation.
Yeah, I like your idea but how many young guys are willing to be back up for a year or two?
I don’t know anything about Fields as a person but I don’t think most NFL players would respond as cowardly and petulantly as Pickett did.
And if he did, you make an example of him and move on.
But, I wouldn’t pass on a guy with a high ceiling at a low cost because some other guy was a baby.
@Oooof threw cold water on this idea above. Agree with you, but spending $20m for a guy who may sit your bench for two years is an awfully high price
It is, UNLESS you are only spending $1.2 million for Wilson because of the offsets and then a Wilson/Fields tandem still becomes one of the cheapest QB rooms in the league.
That’s why it’s suddenly a feasible idea to chase Fields’ upside and high ceiling with Wilson providing a floor at such a low price.
The price would be right, the cost would be low, the competition would be good for both. Seems like an obvious fit given the various turns of events this week.
Hope you’re right, 66
Like I said, an obvious fit given the various turns of events this week.
I like it.
Tannehill isn’t signing anywhere to be a #3. He’d rather sit on the sidelines and come in during the season like Flacco did
Or he ends his career on his couch.
Is anyone beating down his door?
I’m sure he’s on team’s radar. He will have a job this year if he wants it but why not wait until the inevitable happens and someone gets hurt? He will never sign on to be a #3 quarterback.
That might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever read.
Hitching the wagon to Wilson, 36yrs old. Now they trade their so called future QB they said he was a no brainer to take as their future. Now they trade him for basically nothing a 3rd and two 7th’s. They have to have something up their sleeve for this year’s draft, can’t really see them going all in and trading up to the top three picks, but maybe a Nix or Penix.
So you are saying a 3rd and 2 sevens are nothing????? Especially for a QB that you don’t want. Think before you post
Pittsburgh’s too far away from the top 3 to consider moving up there. It would cost them dearly. Three #1’s, minimum, plus other valuable assets. Waaaaaaay too steep of a price.
Bro the legal tampering period barely started and this one has been insane. HOFers retiring, teams trading starters, teams trading guys with nearly identical names for each other. 10 starting qbs from last season already have new colors
“…teams trading guys with nearly identical names for each other.” LOL!!!!!! Thanks for giving me the best laugh I’ve had today!!!!!
Those #1 Cochran commercials where Ben passes the torch…evidently a bit premature.
Like when Mario Lemieux compared Kris Beech (Google him) to Ron Francis.
Seeing signs of collusion to keep Fields in Chicago. I hope the Bears aren’t considering keeping Fields on the roster. Waste of money and might create an unhealthy locker room.
#98 pick for Fields, who says no?
Wow… you couldn’t get a sniff of a Claypool for a pick that low a while back.
If that’s all it would take then Khan should be biting the Bears’ hands off.
Whoever is currently holding pick 98. Just wait until the Bears cut him and get him for zero picks.
Kenny Pickett huge bust.
Daniel Jones
It’s like every other GM took the Fields price as an insult and decided to trade for every other rookie contract QB in the league
It’s like NFL evaluators watched tape of Justin Fields and then decided they wanted Howell or Pickett, or Brisset, or Minshew more.
Eagles are strategically positioned to dominate the preseason.
Rip the Band-Aid off. Anyone with common sense could see Pickett is not a starting QB in the NFL. This is what doomed New England, deluding themselves that it was coaching or weapons or something else of why Mac Jones sucked. Matt Canada was a bad OC, but Kenny Pickett was a bad QB. That’s a bad combination.
Justin Fields heading to Pittsburgh? That would make a lot of sense here.
Not really. Why would they want his fifth year option when they have a better QB who can play at least two or three more years while they draft their own cheap guy to succeed him?
Any team that wants Fields, and that seems to be none, can just wait until he is cut and sign him without surrendering draft picks.
HAHAHAHH BYE TINY HANDS!!!!
Huey Richardson was drafted #1 in 1991 and only played one season. He was traded to the Jets. Dulac is incorrect.
Seems like a poor move for the Eagles. They surrender draft capital for an untitled primadonna when they still have more important holes to fill on the roster.
Entitled… mistyped
I agree that it’s at least an odd move. Why do they need a developmental guy with possible attitude issues behind Hurts? Get a solid veteran mentor for that spot.
They didn’t surrender anything. What are you smoking?
Steelers moved up from a 4th to a 3rd this year and get 2 extra 7th round picks next year.
By definition that is giving up draft capital.
By your own words, moving back 20 spots and giving up two 7th round picks will prevent them from filling lineup holes?
Tell me what holes will be filled by any 7th round selection?
I know one hole that was filled with this trade. THE BACKUP QB POSITION when Mariotta was signed away.
Might I suggest you go back to 2017-18 and tell us all why the backup QB doesn’t play a crucial role.
I didn’t say any of what you just said. I said that draft capital was given up, period.
“They surrender draft capital for an untitled primadonna when they still have more important holes to fill on the roster.”
I dunno what “untitled primadonna” is, but here you’re clearly indicating the loss of draft capital will have an effect on filling important holes “on” the roster.
Is English a second language for you?
No, that would be autocorrect that I simply didn’t notice until now. My apologies
Let’s ride
I was a supporter of Pickett and I would have liked to see him without Canada’s playbook. But the fact of the matter is his attitude is not wanted in Pittsburgh and for the most part that wasn’t on display other than the Seattle game last year which not everyone was a believer in that report.
Steeler fanbase are hard nosed blue collar types who don’t complain about what they gotta do to put dinner on the table. So they don’t want to hear about the face of their Sunday entertainment whining about having to do the work to be the starter.
I feel like a bit of a hypocrite because I am now glad he is gone but it comes from the sense of entitlement and the lack of work ethic to become great.
All that being said we now are back at square 1 and Fields is not the answer. He has next year & a 5th year option before he has to get paid and with Russ there I don’t think that’s enough time to evaluate him.
I can see them moving up for McCarthy. He seems like a perfect fit for Smith’s style of offense.
I don’t know if signing Wilson to a 1 year deal is just a formality for Denver to foot the bill for 2 yrs or they really are only interested in him for next year.
But either way they need a QB of the future. So I am expecting them to draft one to sit behind Russ. Bring in Tannehill to back up Russ & then develop whoever the pick is going to be.
This is the risk of mixing “business and family” by drafting the hometown guy. If and when things go south, they can get really ugly with lots of hurt feelings. I think there’s plenty of blame to go around from multiple parties, but likely wouldn’t have turned this sour if Pickett had went to North Carolina and not Pitt
Those who think Pickett’s attitude was a problem, just wait until you watch Wilson mess up the locker room! Also the Justin Fields trade would have been good..if only the Bears were interested in trading him right now. I believe the Fields saga was all smoke and they are waiting until the draft before they decide.
I believe Wilson’s has his audience he has always searched for in this locker room. The offense is so young they will follow him without the distractions of more seasoned vets on that side of the ball.
If there was a more dominant personality on that side of the ball I would be worried but I feel like at the position he is in at this point in his career and the lack of the vocal distractions he has a chance to resurrect his career. Time will tell. Only he knows at this point if he has been humbled.
What locker room did he mess up? Denver’s? Surely you’re not talking about those crazy people who all have various off the field issues that he used to play with early in his career in Seattle.
I don’t understand this from eagles perspective. We need to get younger in the secondary, need another running back, need a younger swing offensive lineman, need another linebacker. To name a few. The 3rd rounder would be more valuable to me than a backup qb.
Oddly enough, that 2nd rounder they used on Hurts could’ve been better spent on weapons for Wentz instead of a backup QB…
Eagles moved back 22 spots by a pick swap.
Yeah, those 22 spots are way more important than a capable backup QB (were you around in 17-18).
What are you talking about?
Methinks that somewhere in the back war room, Smith convinced those around him that Kenny wasn’t the right fit! This all happened very quickly but I believe it was strategic. Hope Wilson is the answer
What scares me is if Russ is successful this year how that reflects in contract negotiations for year 2z
That’s why to me it’s important to get a young guy to develop.
No team worries about a QB playing too well that they don’t have to pay him.
I get that Pickett was a terrible QB1, but they aren’t going to like the way Queen Wilson plays either. Watching a few Denver games last season was BRUTAL! All he ever does is check down to the RB’s or TE’s. He NEVER throws the ball down field and his mobility is completely gone. He got his RBs killed on several occasions last season b/c he gets rid of the ball before routes open up and he’s afraid to take a hit. That’s why Sean Payton blasted his azz on national TV in the DET game. Good luck PIT, you’re gonna need it with this Prima Donna running the show!
I was against Wilson coming in but thought it woulda pushed Kenny & for the price I figured it wasn’t a bad signing.
But the more I think about it I think I do want Fields to come in & create competition. Starting to wonder how big Wilson’s head will get with Pickett pullin the crybaby move he pulled.
I believe Fields could be starting before the year is over & become the QB of the future. I like him better than the 2nd & 3rd tier guys in this years draft.
I feel Center & WR are pressing needs in first 2 rounds & 3rd would be ok seeing a QB that were graded a bit better but fell. I could see with his injury history possibly Penix dropping but not likely.
What a joke! I know when they drafted that guy, it was the wrong move!
If Pickett can sit & learn in Philly he may do well . Wilson’s time in Denver was terrible by media accounts , but really it was all of the Denver team that was terrible. In Seattle Wilson always threw down field in the middle as the receivers knew how to get separation or knew their reads ,receivers were different in Denver. His stats were ok , even his running check it out before you write something lame . Plus he has got his knee fixed up & his non throwing shoulder , in 2022 he was the most sacked QB tied with Fields. Last yr Wilson was the 4 most sacked QB then Fields . Important note if your QB is leading in getting sacked but has high % in td’s , completions & such , it is not the QB but the pieces around that said QB . Fields will probably be starting for Pittsburgh once he regains his confident & gets some knowledge from Wilson
I think Pittsburgh’s plan all along was to bring in Fields and by trading Pickett it gave them an excuse to do so. I think the rumors about Pickett were put out there by the Steelers to make them look like they had no choice but to trade him. I highly doubt he asked out because he had to compete with an over-the-hill QB in Russ. I feel bad for Pickett in this scenario.