ESPN’s Adam Schefter (h/t Brooke Pryor) reported on Friday afternoon that the Pittsburgh Steelers are buying and selling quarterback and 2022 first-round draft decide Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles, partly as a result of Pickett “most well-liked to maneuver on” after veteran Russell Wilson agreed to a team-friendly contract to affix the Steelers.
It was reported earlier this week that “Wilson was going to must earn the whole lot, together with beating out former first-rounder Kenny Pickett for the beginning job.” Nonetheless, NFL Community insider Ian Rapoport (h/t Nick Shook) mentioned on Friday afternoon that the Steelers indicated Wilson “can be the starter reasonably than have a contest with Pickett this summer time.”
“It seems that resolution led to a commerce of the previous first-round decide,” Rapoport added. Pryor famous that “Wilson was seen much less as a competitor and extra possible because the beginning quarterback” in Pittsburgh.
Whereas Pickett instantly turns into a backup behind Philadelphia starter Jalen Hurts, his departure seemingly opens the door for Wilson to start coaching camp as Pittsburgh’s undisputed QB1. Wilson spoke with media members on Friday morning for the primary time as an official member of the Steelers and revealed he texted Pickett shortly after the 35-year-old determined to relocate to Pittsburgh.
Wilson did effectively to maintain the commerce information a secret assuming he knew about Pickett’s true intentions.
“As quickly as I made the choice to return right here, and we acquired it executed, I texted Kenny and acquired to speak to him a bit bit and simply inform him, ‘Hey, day by day we go on the market, let’s be the most effective model of ourselves and attempt to make this crew higher,'” Wilson defined earlier than the Pickett commerce, in keeping with Dale Lolley of the Steelers’ web site. “And in order that was cool. I simply texted him proper instantly.”
Wilson additionally referenced a “competitors with Kenny” that’s not a chance.
Pickett entered final September as Pittsburgh’s starter however misplaced the job in December to an ankle damage and, later, to backup Mason Rudolph. It was reported that Pickett primarily refused to decorate for the Week 17 recreation on the Seattle Seahawks as a result of he “was very sad that he wasn’t beginning,” however he later denied that declare.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette provided extra info on Pickett’s mindset:
CBS Sports activities insider Aditi Kinkhabwala added a unique take:
The 25-year-old now will get a profession reset as Hurts’ backup at a time when the Steelers could also be on the lookout for one other contemporary face for his or her quarterback room. Virtually instantly after the Pickett information broke, Cleveland Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand linked Pittsburgh with Chicago Bears signal-caller Justin Fields.
The Bears are extensively anticipated to half methods with Fields earlier than they make USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams the primary decide of this 12 months’s draft. Pittsburgh could possibly get Fields for a day-three draft alternative, because it’s thought Chicago will need to keep away from any awkwardness related to the 2021 first-round choice and Williams sharing a locker room throughout coaching camp.
