Pittsburgh Steelers trading Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia Eagles, report says
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) --Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is going to the Philadelphia Eagles, according to a report.
The Steelers are sending Pickett to the Eagles in a pick swap, NFL Insider 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, 120 overall, in 2024 while the Steelers get the Eagles' third-round comp pick, 98 overall, and the Eagles' highest two seventh-round draft picks in 2025, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.
Why did the Steelers trade Kenny Pickett?
The news came hours after the Steelers introduced Russell Wilson at a press conference. The plan was for Kenny Pickett to compete with Wilson for the starting position.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, citing sources, that the Steelers traded Pickett because of the way he "was poorly handling the arrival of Russell Wilson."
When Pickett was injured last season, third-stringer Mason Rudolph led the Steelers to the playoffs after an ineffective Mitch Trubisky was benched. Rudolph, a free agent, is reportedly 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 out of the University of Pittsburgh after Ben Roethlisberger's retirement.
During his time in Pittsburgh, Pickett had 24 starts, going 14-10. He threw 4,474 yards for 13 touchdowns and had 13 interceptions. He had ankle surgery in December and stayed on the sidelines as Rudolph took over. Dulac also reported that Pickett refused to dress in Week 17 against Seattle.
Wilson was officially released by the Broncos earlier this week and is joining the Steelers on a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum of $1.2 million. At Friday's press conference, Wilson said he's grateful to be in Pittsburgh.
"Obviously to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, it's a great tradition to be able to compete and be able to go to work with these guys every single day. It is the gift of this game, enjoying the process of it all," Wilson said.
At the press conference, Wilson sidestepped questions about competing for the starting quarterback position.
Kenny Pickett to the Eagles
The Eagles reportedly traded for Kenny Pickett to be the team's backup quarterback. He slides in 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 does not have the NFL experience Pickett does. McKee was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 draft out of Stanford.
Marcus Mariota was Philadelphia's backup quarterback last season, but the Eagles were in the market for a new one after Mariota signed with the Washington Commanders this offseason.
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 close to home. He grew up in New Jersey and was an Eagles fan growing up.
