NFL Insider Blasts 'Entitled' Kenny Pickett for Leaving Steelers
PITTSBURGH -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett isn't the most praised player in the NFL these days. Really, since his trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, he's seen more criticism than compliments, and one NFL insider isn't holding back on his thoughts about the former first-round pick.
Pickett's departure from the Steelers came with reports of him handling Russell Wilson's arrival "poorly," ending with him requesting a trade. Pittsburgh listened, moving on from the former starter after just two seasons, sending him to Philly with a fourth-round pick in exchange for a third-round draft pick and two sixth-round picks in 2025.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio joined Chris Simms to discuss the trade and let his thoughts be known about Pickett's attitude toward the situation.
"He had a sense, apparently, of entitlement," Florio said. "And what has he done in 24 regular-season starts? What has he done to make him entitled to anything? His draft status? Is it, and he must not know much about the NFL ’cause your draft status doesn’t mean Jack Diddly Squat. What matters is what you do when you get a chance to play.
"And as we’ve been saying for months, and I feel bad saying this, but this is part of what we have to do. Guys play well, guys don’t play well. There’s been nothing he’s done that has made anyone say, ‘Wow, this guy could be special!’ He’s done nothing to make anyone say, ‘Oh man, if he does that a few more times per game, he’s a Pro Bowler, he’s an All-Star, they’re a Super Bowl team.’ It’s been in spite of him that they’ve been competitive not because of him, and they’ve given him a fair chance."
Pickett finished his career in Pittsburgh going 14-10 with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The team quickly replaced him, trading with the Chicago Bears for Justin Fields. Meanwhile, Pickett becomes a backup to Jalen Hurts, and continues to face criticism from analysts.
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