Steelers HC Mike Tomlin explains Kenny Pickett trade

Longtime Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson — who spent the last two seasons with the Denver Broncos — signed with the Steelers in mid-March. While it was not immediately announced that the nine-time Pro Bowler would be replacing Pickett atop Pittsburgh's depth chart, that was the assumption.

Following the Wilson signing, reports came out that Pickett handled the news poorly.

The 25-year-old was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles with a 2024 fourth-round pick for a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round selections. The move was made just one day after Wilson signed with the Steelers.

Pickett was introduced as the newest member of the Eagles last week and discussed the reports of his reaction to the Wilson acquisition.

"It is what it is. (The communication) was behind closed doors. I'm confident in the way that I handled it," Pickett said. "I handled it the way I should've handled it. I'm excited to be here. It worked out so well that Philly was the place I ended up landed in, so, I think everything happens for a reason and I'm right where I'm supposed to be."

The 2022 first-round pick is expected to serve as Philadelphia's backup signal-caller in 2024, behind two-time Pro Bowler Jalen Hurts.