The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, with fans holding high hopes that he would become the franchise's future star quarterback. In two seasons with Pittsburgh, Pickett recorded a 14-10 win-loss record, passing for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, while completing 62.6% of his passes.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers' former Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada watches the game with Kenny Pickett.
Analyzing Pickett's tenure was challenging. On one hand, he demonstrated the ability to deliver in clutch moments, leading several game-winning drives. On the other hand, when games got out of hand, the offense struggled to mount comebacks, indicating inconsistency under Pickett's leadership.
A significant factor was former Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada, whose performance has been widely criticized, making it difficult for fans to determine whether the team’s successes were due to or despite Pickett's efforts. Pundits close to the team even mentioned that Pickett was dealing with many secrets that weighed him down.
This offseason, the Steelers decided to bring in true competition at the quarterback position by signing veteran Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. This move upset Pickett, who felt entitled to the starting job, leading him to request a trade and ending his brief tenure in Pittsburgh. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly discussed Pickett in his most recent mailbag. One reader asked Kaboly a question about Pickett wanting out.
“If Kenny Pickett stayed, would he have taken a big step forward with a new, competent offensive coordinator?”
Kaboly admitted he was shocked by Pickett's trade request. His response to the question was brief and to the point.
"If I were Pickett, I would have stayed around because of what you suggested. But he decided he wanted to leave," said Kaboly.
For the first time in his career, Pickett would have been in a much better situation. As mentioned earlier, Pickett played in one of the worst systems in the NFL. Canada's play-calling seemed to avoid using the middle of the field, resulting in a risk-averse offense that frequently stalled. Scoring touchdowns felt like a monumental achievement, highlighting how frustrating it was to watch the struggling Pittsburgh offense. Despite these challenges, Pittsburgh still managed to win games under Pickett.
This led to confusion among fans, as it appeared Pittsburgh was winning more due to their defense than Pickett's performance. His stats were not impressive for a first-round pick who had started 24 games, with only 13 touchdowns and an equal number of interceptions. When Pittsburgh informed Pickett that he would need to compete for the starting job with Wilson, Pickett was furious and requested a trade.
Eagles Wire
Former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett embraces Eagles QB Jalen Hurts after a game.
Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he is now set to back up Jalen Hurts. This move puzzled both Kaboly and Pittsburgh fans. Pickett, a young quarterback in a poor situation, would have benefited from learning Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith's system and backing up an expiring veteran in Wilson. In the worst-case scenario, Pickett would have learned and developed; in the best-case scenario, he might have beaten out Wilson and thrived in a new system. Wilson will be turning 36 years old in November. That means Pickett would have had plenty of time to learn without any pressure and improve when Wilson left Pittsburgh.
Steelers' Kenny Pickett Became A Hostage In Pittsburgh
Instead, by leaving Pittsburgh, Pickett is now backing up a young and talented quarterback in Hurts, with little chance of earning the starting job unless Hurts gets injured—a situation that has occurred over the past two seasons, but is not ideal for a former first-round pick. Pickett's situation in Pittsburgh would have been more advantageous, even with the signing of Wilson. If Pickett had stayed and competed, the Steelers likely would not have traded for Justin Fields. However, Pickett wanted out, and Pittsburgh did not want to hold him hostage.
The Athletic
Former Steelers Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada looks on before a game in Pittsburgh.
Steelers fans will continue to watch Pickett and see if he gets another chance to play in an NFL game anytime soon. For Pittsburgh, the situation worked out well. They now have two quarterbacks: one for the future and one in win-now mode. Steelers fans are buzzing about their new quarterback room and are excited to see them compete in 2024.
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