The Steelers' QB Shuffle: Kenny Pickett Traded as Pittsburgh Goes All-In on Russell Wilson
ICARO Media Group
In a shocking move that has revealed the inner dysfunction within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, quarterback Kenny Pickett has been traded after the team decided to go all-in on Russell Wilson. The decision to sign Wilson and abruptly end the Pickett era after just two years signifies the desperate need for a successful quarterback in Pittsburgh.
According to reports from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pickett's trade was a result of his reaction to the Wilson signing. Although Pickett may not have handled the situation perfectly, it's understandable given the circumstances. Several of his teammates, including Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and T.J. Watt, openly recruited Wilson while Pickett was still on the roster, making his position on the team uncertain.
However, despite the challenges he faced, Pickett deserves credit for his resilience. He stepped in during the 2022 season to clean up the mess left by Mitch Trubisky's departure and helped the Steelers finish with a 9-8 record after a slow start. Even in 2023, with an offensive coordinator who struggled, Pickett continued to play winning football.
Unfortunately, Pickett's time in Pittsburgh was marred by injuries, specifically a game against the Cardinals that marked the beginning of the end for him in the Steel City. It's clear that he was never truly set up for success given the circumstances surrounding him, including the team's handling of the quarterback position since Ben Roethlisberger's departure.
The Steelers' decision to trade Pickett in favor of signing Wilson reflects their growing impatience with recent playoff failures. Pittsburgh's desire to win now led to several notable moves during the first week of free agency, including the trade of Diontae Johnson and the acquisitions of Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott. These moves are expected to have an instant impact.
With Wilson now at the helm, the Steelers hope to turn their fortunes around and end their championship drought. Wilson brings a stellar career and a strong drive to succeed in Pittsburgh. He joins a team with an experienced offensive coordinator, a solid offensive line, talented running backs, and a receiving corps that will likely be bolstered through free agency and the draft.
While the future of the Steelers' quarterback situation appears uncertain, the team is making a concentrated effort to improve from a cultural standpoint. Players like Najee Harris and Minkah Fitzpatrick have openly expressed frustrations with the team's dysfunction in the past, highlighting the need for change.
In the end, the success of the Wilson experiment is crucial for the Steelers. If it fails, it will only magnify the mistakes made in the post-Roethlisberger era. There's a lot riding on Wilson's ability to cover up the dysfunction within the team and lead them to victories. Only time will tell if this bold move pays off for the Pittsburgh Steelers.