Unflattering report reveals why Steelers traded Kenny Pickett

May 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) participates in drills during Rookie Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly traded Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, but the quarterback’s own behavior reportedly led to the move.

Multiple reports on Friday suggested that the Steelers traded Pickett over his response to the team’s signing of Russell Wilson. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pickett handled Wilson’s arrival “poorly,” which prompted the trade.

The Steelers made the move because of the way Pickett was poorly handling the arrival of Russell Wilson, according to sources. That came on the heels of Pickett's behavior last season when he refused to dress as the emergency third quarterback in Seattle in Week 17. https://t.co/mirLR1UJFP

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 15, 2024

Albert Breer of The MMQB expanded on the report. Pickett reportedly told the Steelers he would be willing to compete for the starting quarterback job, but reversed his stance when Wilson was signed.

Can confirm @gerrydulac's reporting that Kenny Pickett's handling of the Russell Wilson signing was a factor in the @Steelers' decision. He communicated to the team he was fine with competing for the job, then went the other way when Wilson was added. So he's gone.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 15, 2024

There had been growing rumors about Pickett’s attitude since late last season. Pickett was forced to deny a story that he had refused to dress as Mason Rudolph’s backup in Week 17 despite being healthy, which Dulac alluded to in his own report.

It is certainly plausible that the Steelers had no plans to trade Pickett, only to change their stance based on his reaction to the Wilson move. The former first-round pick will have to get used to his new reality after Friday’s trade, as he will have no shot at starting ahead of Jalen Hurts barring injury.