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, partially as a result of Pickett “most well-liked to maneuver on” after veteran Russell Wilson agreed to a team-friendly contract to hitch the Steelers.
It was reported earlier this week that “Wilson was going to should earn every thing, together with beating out former first-rounder Kenny Pickett for the beginning job.” Nonetheless, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport (h/t Nick Shook) stated on Friday afternoon that the Steelers indicated Wilson “can be the starter fairly than have a contest with Pickett this summer season.”
“It seems that choice led to a commerce of the previous first-round decide,” Rapoport added. Pryor famous that “Wilson was considered much less as a competitor and extra doubtless 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 obtained it executed, I texted Kenny and obtained to speak to him somewhat bit and simply inform him, ‘Hey, each day we go on the market, let’s be the perfect model of ourselves and attempt to make this staff higher,'” Wilson defined earlier than the Pickett commerce, based on 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 Publish-Gazette supplied extra info on Pickett’s mindset:
CBS Sports activities insider Aditi Kinkhabwala added a distinct take:
The 25-year-old now will get a profession reset as Hurts’ backup at a time when the Steelers could also be in search of one other contemporary face for his or her quarterback room. Nearly 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 broadly expected 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.