Tim Benz: A layer of irony to the latest Kenny Pickett trade

Viva Las Vegas!

Viva Kenny Pickett trades!

The former Steelers quarterback is on the move again. This time he has been dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Vegas was in need of a QB after Aidan O’Connell injured his wrist during the preseason.

Pickett was traded to Cleveland from Philadelphia in March. After opening some eyes early in training camp with the Browns, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury. Joe Flacco was named the starter, and Pickett was deemed to be expendable because the franchise also drafted Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

So, he was shipped out west Monday evening. This means the former Pitt Panther has been on four teams within the span of his entry-level contract.

There’s a touch of irony associated with Pickett’s trade to Las Vegas. The 27-year-old’s best game as a Steeler came against the Raiders.

On Sept. 24, 2023, Pickett went 16 of 28 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn’t intercepted and was only sacked once. That was good for a 108.5 passer rating as the Steelers won in Las Vegas 23-18.

Along the way, Pickett found Calvin Austin for a 72-yard scoring strike.

PICKETT DART! ???? @steelers answer right back in Vegas ????

????: #PITvsLV on NBC
????: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/oKZBIH1Rly pic.twitter.com/V1S7Xq3CfV

— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2023

The only other time Pickett surpassed a passer rating of 100 in a game was during last year’s regular-season finale against Dallas. That’s when Pickett replaced a resting Jalen Hurts in the starting lineup, and the Eagles won 41-7.

Pickett went 10 of 15 for 143 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. That equated to a 119.6 passer rating in what would prove to be Pickett’s only start as an Eagle.

Also, Pickett’s most memorable victory also happened against Las Vegas. That’s when the Raiders were in town for a brutally cold Christmas Eve game in 2022. It was the night the Steelers and the rest of the NFL were honoring Franco Harris and the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.

Down 10-3 in the fourth quarter of that infamous 9-degree evening, Pickett led a comeback that resulted in a 13-10 Steelers win, as George Pickens caught the game-winning touchdown pass with 46 seconds remaining.

Got that dawg in him

???? Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/E0NYNUAdNa pic.twitter.com/I4fnw9zVEw

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 25, 2022

Pickett ended that game 26 of 39 for 244 yards, a touchdown and an interception in some frigid elements.

Of course, this is not the same regime that Pickett played against in either of those games. John Spytek is the general manager who traded for him in Vegas. He has spent the previous eight years in Tampa Bay’s front office.

Pete Carroll is now the coach of the Raiders. Josh McDaniels was the coach of the Raiders when Pickett beat them twice.

Pickett will now back up West Virginia alum Geno Smith in Las Vegas.

The Steelers and Raiders don’t play one another this season. Had Pickett remained in Cleveland, he would’ve run into the Steelers during Week 6 and Week 17.