NFL Fans Left Stunned After Kenny Pickett's Trade to Eagles from Steelers

zach bacharContributor IMarch 15, 2024

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 03: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass during the second quarter in the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Acrisure Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Per Schefter, the Eagles received Pickett along with the No. 120 pick in the 2024 draft. In return, the Steelers now own the No. 98 pick along with two seventh-round selections in 2025.

Pickett started in 24 games over the past two seasons in Pittsburgh, although his future with the organization was unclear after the team signed former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year contract at the start of free agency.

Now, the 25-year-old is the clear-cut backup in Philadelphia behind two-time Pro Bowl passer Jalen Hurts. NFL fans were surprised by the trade, as Pickett was selected by the Steelers with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2020 draft.

B/R Gridiron @brgridiron
BREAKING: Eagles traded for Kenny Pickett, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Adamschefter</a> <a href="https://t.co/5ulkGttMS6">pic.twitter.com/5ulkGttMS6</a>

Nick Farabaugh @FarabaughFB
And the Kenny Pickett era is over. Wow. <a href="https://t.co/kvwpygEjtL">https://t.co/kvwpygEjtL</a>

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
How quickly the NFL turns ... The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steelers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Steelers</a> drafted Kenny Pickett with the No. 20 overall pick less than two years ago -- the first QB off the board. Today, they move on to 35-year-old Russell Wilson, who is getting paid $39 million this season to not play for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a>.

PickensBurgh🫡 (Tino) @PickensBurgh
Kenny Pickett's time in Pittsburgh came to a screeching halt. I'm very surprised <a href="https://t.co/DNdNFpP3zt">pic.twitter.com/DNdNFpP3zt</a>

Jack Hillgrove @JackWTOV9
Wow. Pickett and pick 120 this year to the Eagles for the 98th pick and two 2025 7th rounders. I am beyond shocked. <a href="https://t.co/ef6ZiMENAo">https://t.co/ef6ZiMENAo</a>

Mark Kaboly @MarkKaboly
Steelers trade Kenny Pickett. I didn't see that coming.

Jenna Harner @JennaHarner11
WOW. Kenny Pickett is heading to Philly <a href="https://t.co/ie0QW1e9ud">https://t.co/ie0QW1e9ud</a>

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers made the trade because of the way Pickett was "poorly handling" the arrival of Wilson.

The young signal-caller was never able to break free from inconsistency in Pittsburgh, completing 62.6 percent of his throws for 4,474 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 13 interceptions during his first two years in the NFL.

Some were relieved that his time with the team was finished, looking forward to Wilson starting under center in 2024.

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Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora
The Kenny Pickett era is over. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steelers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Steelers</a>

Blitzburgh @Blitz_Burgh
This is the rarest of moves by the Steelers. This organization never admits they're wrong about a first round pick and instead ride it out until the end of their contract. Within 2 seasons they said Pickett you're gone. Unbelievable. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steelers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Steelers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFL</a>

Marcus Mosher @Marcus_Mosher
It took all of 16 starts to know that the Kenny Pickett experiment wouldn't work. <a href="https://t.co/JWICv0MpI2">https://t.co/JWICv0MpI2</a>

Jon Ledyard @LedyardNFLDraft
You can believe Kenny Pickett was never going to be the guy and was a bad draft pick (I always have) AND still believe the Steelers did about as bad a job setting him up to succeed as you can imagine. A disaster class on helping a 1st rd QB selection succeed.

LEFTY💎 @ReFlexxLefty
I woke up to Kenny Pickett gone, the experiment is really over

Now, the Steelers will head into the 2024 season without a quarterback competition. Meanwhile, the Eagles found a new backup for Hurts after Marcus Mariota signed with the Washington Commanders.

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