Strong Message From Kenny Pickett Following Steelers Departure
According to rumors, quarterback Kenny Pickett left the Pittsburgh Steelers when the organization signed veteran Russell Wilson. Pickett, though, tried to end things on a positive note.
On March 17, the 2022 first-round selection sent a parting message to Pittsburgh via Instagram.
“Thank you, Pittsburgh! “My life changed forever when I moved to this city seven years ago,” Pickett posted on Instagram. “I’m thankful for everyone who helped me along the journey and for the incredible people I had the good fortune to meet. I formed interactions and lifelong friendships that I will always treasure.
In essence, the Steelers sent Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for draft picks. The Steelers sent Pickett to Philadelphia along with this year’s No. 120 overall selection, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Steelers got the No. 98 pick in exchange.
In the deal, Philadelphia also delivered Pittsburgh two seventh-round picks in 2025.
Pickett’s farewell on social media is unlikely to alter the perception that he left the Steelers’ competition.
The day after the Steelers signed Wilson, Pickett “canceled a scheduled out-of-town workout” with wide receivers, according to a March 15 story by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pickett “refused to dress as the emergency third quarterback,” according to Dulac, after Mason Rudolph replaced him at the end of the 2023 campaign.
Wilson revealed that following Pickett’s acceptance of a contract with the Steelers, he texted him. When Wilson addressed reporters at his inaugural press conference, he welcomed a possible rivalry with Pickett.
On March 16, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic contended that Pickett will be subject to similar reports for the remainder of his career during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan with Jeff Hathhorn.
“What was a promising beginning here has a bad ending,” Kaboly remarked. “Kenny Pickett’s resume will always bear a black mark if he was deceived or didn’t get an opportunity, whether you like it or not. think what you want to think.
“People will never let him down if you give up, and that’s the public’s perception—that he took his ball and went home because things got tough for him.”
The Steelers have never parted ways with a first-round pick before.
On March 16, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic contended that Pickett will be subject to similar reports for the remainder of his career during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan with Jeff Hathhorn.
“What was a promising beginning here has a bad ending,” Kaboly remarked. “Kenny Pickett’s resume will always bear a black mark if he was deceived or didn’t get an opportunity, whether you like it or not. think what you want to think.
“People will never let him down if you give up, and that’s the public’s perception—that he took his ball and went home because things got tough for him.”
The Steelers have never parted ways with a first-round pick before.