Steelers trade quarterback Kenny Pickett to Eagles

On the day the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced new quarterback Russell Wilson, they traded the only other one on their roster.

Kenny Pickett, the former first-round pick from Pitt whose starting status was in question after Wilson’s signing, was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles, a league source confirmed to TribLive, ending his sometimes tumultuous two-year tenure with the Steelers.

According to ESPN, which initially reported the trade, the Steelers will get the No. 98 overall pick in the 2024 draft and two seventh-round picks in 2025. In addition to Pickett, the Eagles will get the No. 120 overall pick in this year’s draft.

By making the deal, the Steelers and general manager Omar Khan are moving on from their top pick of the 2022 draft, the last of the Kevin Colbert era. Taken No. 20 overall that year — the same slot the Steelers hold this season — Pickett moved into the starting role a month into his rookie season and held the job until late in 2023.

Related

• Joining Steelers was 'the place I wanted to be' for new quarterback Russell Wilson
• New Steeler Patrick Queen: I've grown - and not just as a product of Roquan Smith
• Steelers changing with times in approach to contracts, free agency

Pickett went 14-10 in 24 career starts over those two seasons, and he threw an equal number of interceptions and touchdown passes (13).

Pickett struggled in former offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s system and had his best game after the Steelers dismissed Canada in November. But, after Pickett injured his ankle the next week against Arizona, he never returned to the field.

Pickett was healthy enough to play late in the season, but the Steelers already had turned to No. 3 quarterback Mason Rudolph, who led the team to three consecutive victories and a playoff berth. Pickett also watched as Rudolph started the AFC wild-card playoff loss at Buffalo.

Pickett reportedly balked at serving as the emergency No. 3 quarterback in Week 17 at Seattle, which didn’t endear him to the organization. Still, Pickett entered the offseason as the starting quarterback, per coach Mike Tomlin.

In January, with Pickett and Mitch Trubisky serving as the only quarterbacks under contract — Rudolph was set to hit free agency — Tomlin said his 2024 starter already was on the roster. Last month, Khan said he had “full faith” in Pickett being the team’s starting quarterback next season.

That all happened before the Steelers signed Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and former Super Bowl champion, to a one-year contract worth the NFL veteran minimum of $1.21 million. The Steelers introduced Wilson at a news conference Friday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Khan attended the Wilson session, but he did not return to the media room later when the Steelers introduced safety DeShon Elliott. Khan presumably was finalizing the deal with the Eagles.

Khan now must find a backup. Make that two. The Steelers released Trubisky in February, and he signed a contract with his former team, the Buffalo Bills. Rudolph signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday.

The Steelers now have none of the three quarterbacks from last season on the roster.

As for Pickett, he’ll get a fresh start in Philadelphia, where he will back up Jalen Hurts. The trade sends Pickett closer to his roots. He was born and raised in Ocean Township, N.J., and starred as quarterback there before enrolling at Pitt.

Who’s next?

With Kenny Pickett gone, the Steelers have only one quarterback, Russell Wilson, on the roster. Here’s how they could restock the quarterback room:

FREE AGENCY

One backup option on the free agent market is former Miami Dolphins and Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who, like Wilson, is 35 years old. Tannehill lost his starting job last season with the Titans to rookie Will Levis.

Tannehill makes sense for the Steelers because he had his best success in Tennessee when Arthur Smith was his offensive coordinator. Smith was hired by the Steelers in the same role after he was fired as coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Former Steelers backup Joshua Dobbs also is on market.

TRADE

In the Pickett deal, the Steelers moved up 22 spots in this year’s draft, getting the Eagles’ compensatory pick in the third round. The Eagles will get the Steelers’ fourth-round selection. That boost in positioning could help fuel a trade should the Steelers decide to pursue Chicago’s Justin Fields.

The Bears are expected to trade Fields before they use the No. 1 overall pick in the draft on a quarterback.

THE DRAFT

With needs at center, right tackle and wide receiver, the Steelers likely won’t take a quarterback until the third day. This quarterback would be for developmental purposes to round out the roster. Among that tier of quarterbacks are South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler, Tulane’s Michael Pratt and Florida State’s Jordan Travis.