Former Pitt QB Kenny Pickett ‘Thought it Was Time’ for Fresh Start

After seven years in Pittsburgh, starting as a Panther and ending as a Steeler, Kenny Pickett decided he wanted a fresh start.

The Steelers, who selected Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, decided to bring in veteran quarterback Russell Wilson earlier this month, and while Pickett said that he was “confident” in the way he handled the situation, the situation still resulted in a trade request. And Pickett wound up being traded.

“I just thought it was time,” Pickett told the Philadelphia media Monday. “It just felt like it was time from the things that transpired — wanted to get the chance to go somewhere and continue to grow my career. The fact that it’s in Philly, the place that I grew up, fell in love with the game here, with a great coaching staff, great players, I’m looking forward meeting all these guys in a couple of weeks.”

Wilson was brought in to be the Steelers starting quarterback, and according to reports, Pickett was told that there would be a competition in the offseason to determine the starter. Pickett pointed to communication as a factor in the eventual breakup — after the Steelers previously expressed support earlier this offseason.

“I think the communication — it is what it is, it was behind closed doors,” Pickett said. “I’m confident in the way that I handled it; I handled it in the way I should’ve handled it. I’m excited to be here. It worked out so well that Philly is the place I ended up landing. I think everything happens for a reason; I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

Pickett spent two seasons (24 starts, 25 games) as the starting quarterback for the Steelers, and it was certainly a tumultuous tenure.

Pickett threw for 4,474 yards (62.6% completion) with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his 25 games as a Steeler, and while he wasn’t put in the best situation to succeed in the NFL, his lack of production was problematic. The Steelers couldn’t just run it back in 2024 with Pickett as the unquestioned starter. According to Pickett, it wasn’t as it seemed.

Regardless, Pickett never quite found his rhythm as a starter in the NFL — be it offensive scheme, injuries or coaching decisions. In 11 games last season, he completed 201-of-324 pass attempts (62%) for 2,070 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions — adding a rushing touchdown.

He completed 245-of-389 pass attempts (63%) for 2,404 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions (adding 237 rushing yards and three more touchdowns on the ground) as a rookie. And while he did show flashes as a rookie, his progression — or lack thereof — last season was a problem. It felt like a decline.

But even through a disappointing tenure with the Steelers, Pickett reflected positively on his time in Pittsburgh.

“(I) gave everything I had there and loved all of my teammates and coaches that I came across — some absolutely great memories that I’ll take forever and lifelong friendships,” Pickett said. “And just talking to guys after it all went down, grateful that we had the time we had together.”

Pickett is happy to be in Philadelphia now, after having grown up in the area (albeit, New York Giants territory in Ocean Township, N.J.), and it just so happens that he’s been watching the Eagles since he was a kid. Pickett’s dad Kenneth grew up in the area, and that fandom rubbed off. It’s, he said, a good reset.

Pickett is only a couple of seasons removed from a standout senior season at Pitt, and he should continue to hold down a spot in the NFL — either competing for a starting spot or as a backup.

With 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns, to just seven interceptions, on 334-of-497 passing attempts (67 percent) as a senior, Pickett was one of the highest-rated passers in the nation, and he added 241 yards and five more touchdowns on the ground. He finished his Pitt career as the all-time leader in passing yards, completions, total offense, touchdowns responsible for and passing touchdowns. He’s thrown the most 300-yard passing games (16) and 400-yard passing games (five) and his 32 wins are the most as a Pitt starter.

Pickett completed 1,045-of-1,674 career passing attempts (just over 62 percent) for 12,303 yards and 81 touchdowns, to just 32 interceptions. He also added 809 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in the run game in 52 career appearances (49 starts).

Pickett isn’t going to start in Philly, not with incumbent starter Jalen Hurts in place, but he is in place to serve as a capable spot-starter.