Steelers trade QB Kenny Pickett to Eagles, clearing way for Russell Wilson to start, per reports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially clearing the way for Russell Wilson.

The team is trading former starting quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in a pick swap, according to multiple reports. The Steelers will receive a third-round pick this year as well as two seventh-round picks in 2025, while the Eagles will get Pickett and a fourth-round selection this year.

The move comes just five days after Wilson agreed to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum (approximately $1.2 million) to join the Steelers. The Denver Broncos are due to pay the remainder of the $39 million he's owed for the 2024 season after officially cutting him this week, ending a tumultuous two-year run and incurring a record $85 million dead cap hit.

Pickett, 25, was the Steelers' 2022 first-round draft pick (No. 20 overall) out of Pitt. He started the last two seasons but struggled piloting an offense that ranked 28th in scoring (17.9 points per game). Pickett was sidelined late in the season by an ankle injury, and the team kept him on the bench down the stretch and into the playoffs, choosing instead to stick with the hot hand in Mason Rudolph.

Pittsburgh hired former Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith this offseason to run the unit.

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Both Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan backed Pickett earlier this offseason before signing Wilson.

"I have full faith in Kenny Pickett," Khan said at the NFL scouting combine. "Obviously there were some issues with the offense, and I'm excited about the impact that Arthur Smith is going to have on him. I know Arthur's very optimistic about Kenny, and I know they've communicated. And we'll see where it goes. We feel really good about him."

In Philadelphia, Pickett - who grew up Ocean Township, New Jersey, and was a fan of the Eagles - will serve as the backup to Jalen Hurts. Marcus Mariota, who served in the role last season, signed with the Washington Commanders.