Kenny Pickett canceled Steelers practice following Russell Wilson news

NFL

by Max Weissmann

Kenny Pickett did not handle the signing of Russell Wilson well.

The day after Wilson agreed to a one-year contract with the Steelers last week, Pickett canceled an out-of-town workout with the team's wide receivers, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

During Russell Wilson's introductory news conference, the new Steeler said he sent a message to Pickett, 25, after he agreed to sign in Pittsburgh.

“Just to tell him, ‘Hey, every day we go out there, let’s be the best version of ourselves and try to make this team better,'” Wilson said. “That was great.”

However, Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles along with a 2024 fourth-round pick just hours after Wilson's press conference.

In return, Pittsburgh received a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.

While the Steelers had high hopes for the New Jersey native, who they took 20th overall in 2022 out of the University of Pittsburgh, he hasn't shown he can be the team's long-term solution at quarterback.

Pickett threw for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 games (24 starts) over two seasons.

Now, Pickett will back up Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia after being viewed as a potential successor to Ben Roethlisberger.

With Pickett gone, the Steelers traded a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick with the Chicago Bears for former first-round pick Justin Fields as their new backup.

The sixth round becomes the fourth round if Fields plays 51 percent or more of the snaps in 2024.

The move ensures that Chicago will select a quarterback, most likely Caleb Williams, with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.