After two middling seasons in Pittsburgh, Kenny Pickett was ready to leave the Steelers behind — as well as most of the reasons why he wanted out, rather than stay and compete with Russell Wilson for the starting quarterback job.
All Pickett wants now is a chance to contribute, somehow, with the Philadelphia Eagles after he was traded last week.
Pickett, a New Jersey native, rattled off a list of Eagles greats that included Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook he grew up rooting for at the Linc. He had “great memories” of going to games with his dad and grandfather since he was 5 years old, and the chance to run out of the home team tunnel — and shave almost 8 hours round trip off his parents’ commute — left him absolutely delighted.
The 25-year-old Pickett said later he had nothing but “great memories” of his Steelers’ run, as well.
But as for that ending?
Pickett was largely evasive on why he wished to play elsewhere, though the reasons were fairly transparent.
Pickett was traded just hours after the Steelers signed Wilson to a one-year deal to compete with Pickett for the starting job, though all signs appeared to be pointing to Wilson having the edge when the team reported for training camp at Saint Vincent College in July.
Wilson declined to say he expected to be the starter when asked during his introductory news conference and added he and Pickett had connected shortly after Wilson agreed to terms with the team, saying they were both focused on making the Steelers better.
The Wilson-Pickett combo instead had a shorter shelf life in Pittsburgh than a Jaromír Jágr bobblehead.
“I just thought it was time,” Pickett said Monday. “It just felt like it was time from the things that transpired. I wanted to get a chance to go somewhere else and continue to grow my career.”
Pickett was lambasted by some critics for seemingly refusing to compete with Wilson for the starting spot. In Philly, he’s a clear No. 2 QB behind Jalen Hurts, who led the Eagles to the…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/kenny-pickett-mum-on-moving-on-from-steelers-ready-to-reset-with-eagles
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Publish date : 2024-03-18 20:25:31
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