Steelers Insider: Kenny Pickett’s Tenure ‘All but over’ After Russell Wilson Contract

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Quarterback Kenny Pickett’s days on the Pittsburgh Steelers might be numbered with Russell Wilson on his way to the Steel City.

Wilson announced Sunday he’s signing with the Steelers, which prompted The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly to posit that “Pickett’s career as a Pittsburgh Steeler is all but over.”

“The Steelers have to decide on Pickett’s fifth-year option next May,” he wrote. “I suppose a colossal Wilson failure coupled with a late-season Pickett push could change the youngster’s trajectory, but that’s asking a lot.”

Head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan will probably say all of the right things about this being an open QB battle and the organization still having faith in Pickett.

From the outside, however, signing Wilson certainly looks like a clear indictment of the 2022 first-round pick. Pittsburgh had a lot of other options if it wanted to sign a quarterback to explicitly serve as the backup.

It’s not hard to see why the Steelers decided they needed serious competition — if not an outright replacement — for Pickett.

Through two seasons, he has thrown for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 appearances. Considering his age (25) and the absence of a standout skill, there’s little reason to think a breakout is incoming.

For Pickett, the turning point in his Steelers tenure may have come when there was little difference in the offense’s performance when Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph finished out 2023 as the starting QB.

Pickett’s rookie deal incentives Pittsburgh to at least keep him on the roster, because his $3.8 million and $4.5 million salary cap hits for 2024 and 2025 are good value for a backup.

The Steelers may have already waved the white flag on him as a long-term solution under center, though.