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Rejecting many stories regarding his sudden departure from the Steelers, Kenny Pickett told reporters on Monday that he was “confident in the way he handled it.”
After the Steelers signed Russell Wilson, Pickett was unexpectedly moved to the Eagles on Friday. Reports soon followed, claiming that the former 2022 Steelers first-round selection was not happy with the acquisition of the former Broncos and Seahawks quarterback.
However, the newly acquired quarterback for the Eagles informed reporters in the City of Brotherly Love that things weren’t as they looked.
“I think the communication is what it is. It was behind closed doors. I’m confident in the way that I handled it. I handled it the way I should have handled it,” he said during Monday’s news conference, according to ESPN. “I’m excited to be here. It worked out so well that Philly was the place I ended up landing in. Everything happens for a reason and I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
Various reports from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette painted Pickett’s reaction to the trade in a negative light, noting the Steelers “made the move because of the way Pickett was poorly handling the arrival of Russell Wilson.”
The outlet also reported that Pickett had canceled an out-of-town workout with the team’s wide receivers and ESPN’s Adam Schefter said that “once Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson, Pickett preferred to move on.”
Pickett didn’t address specific reports or conversations that he had, but said that it had been time for him to get a fresh start elsewhere.
“I wanted to get a chance to go somewhere else and continue to grow my career,” Pickett said. “The fact that it is in Philly, the place that I grew up, found the love for the game here, with a great coaching staff, great players … I think it’s an awesome opportunity to join this team.”
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala did appear to provide a little bit more context to what the conversations between Pickett and the Steelers had been before he was dealt.
The Steelers had reneged on their “pledge” to put Pickett in a position to succeed, she reported.
Pickett will now go to an Eagles team that is looking to turn the page after an underachieving season in 2023.
He’ll back up Eagels’ starter Jalen Hurts and be part of a QB room that also includes 2023 sixth-round pick Tanner McKee.
Pickett, who grew up an Eagles fan, threw for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 games with the Steelers.