Steelers' Russell Wilson Teaches Kenny Pickett A Deep Lesson

The Pittsburgh Steelers had high hopes when they selected local quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Over two seasons, Pickett posted a 14-10 record as a starter, passing for 4,474 yards while completing 62.6% of his throws. He recorded 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions during that time.

Though Pickett's tenure with the Steelers had its moments, it was far from ideal. Many of his struggles weren’t entirely his fault, as he operated within a lackluster offensive system that some believe hindered his development. While he showed flashes of potential, injuries and inconsistency ultimately left the organization questioning whether he was truly the quarterback of the future. This led Pittsburgh to bring in veteran Russell Wilson, hoping he would reignite Pickett’s competitive spirit and serve as a mentor as Pickett fought to keep his job.

However, when Wilson’s arrival was announced, Pickett was frustrated and requested a trade, effectively ending his time in Pittsburgh. One moment that still stands out to Steeler Nation is when, after an injury, Pickett was asked if he had learned anything from watching veteran Mason Rudolph play. His response was blunt when he directly said no. 

Fast forward to now, and Wilson has been sidelined for six games due to a calf injury he sustained during the 2024 offseason. Wilson came to Pittsburgh aiming to revive his career and lead the Steelers to playoff success. The injury presented significant adversity, and given how the quarterback competition between him and Justin Fields had unfolded, it would have been understandable if Wilson had expressed frustration.

Instead, Wilson has been a model teammate. He suited up as the emergency quarterback, posted motivational messages on social media, and consistently supported his teammates in the media, always saying the right things. Despite facing tough circumstances, he never made it about himself—something that would have been easy to do. Recently, Wilson was asked the same question Pickett faced 10 months ago. The stark difference in their responses speaks volumes.

To be fair to Pickett, he was in a tough situation for the first time in his career. He struggled under the poor offensive schemes of former Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. After Canada was fired, Pickett had the most efficient game of his career, and he started off strong again in the following game against the Arizona Cardinals before suffering an injury.

It was unfortunate for Pickett, because if he hadn't been injured against the Cardinals, he might have continued thriving, and perhaps the Steelers wouldn't have made the sweeping changes at quarterback during the 2024 offseason. The real issue, however, was how Pickett handled the situation. He felt entitled to the starting job and was upset when the Steelers brought in Wilson.

Steelers Thought Russell Wilson Would Motivate Kenny Pickett

Reportedly, the Steelers brought in Wilson to motivate Pickett, hoping he would rise to the challenge and become the quarterback they believed he could be. Instead, the move had the opposite effect on Pickett, though it ultimately worked out for the team. 

The contrast between how Wilson handled adversity and how Pickett responded highlights what makes Wilson's leadership and professionalism truly special. Now that he's healthy, many expect Wilson to make his first regular season start in a Steelers uniform. There's plenty of debate about whether it's the right decision, but Steelers fans will likely find out Sunday night against the New York Jets.

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