Report: Steelers traded Kenny Pickett because he wasn't happy with the signing of Russell Wilson

The Steelers drafted quarterback Kenny Pickett two years ago in part because they knew him well from his time at Pitt. Maybe they didn't know him well enough.

Little did they know that he wouldn't take the bench well, or that he would be embarrassed to sign another potential midfielder.

Jerry Dulac Pittsburgh Post-Gazette I recently reported that the Steelers traded Pickett to the Eagles “because of him Behavior and expression of unhappiness On the arrival of Russell Wilson.

Per Dulac, Pickett canceled an out-of-town workout with the Steelers' receivers the day after Wilson agreed to sign with the Steelers.

Dulac also points to Beckett's alleged “aggressive behavior” late last season, after he returned from ankle surgery but was not reinstated as a starter. Mason Rudolph retained the position instead.

“It came to a head in Week 17 in Seattle when he refused to dress as an emergency third-down quarterback,” Dulac wrote.

So, Pickett went from competing with Wilson to being second, at best, behind Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia.

It's clear that if Pickett had played better in 24 starts over two seasons, the Steelers wouldn't have gone as far. They tend to be patient, especially with quarterbacks emerging in the first round.

As coach Mike Tomlin always says, he wants volunteers, not hostages. Beckett didn't seem to want to be there. Tomlin and the Steelers apparently decided not to force that.

Pickett is now beginning the backup phase of his career, two seasons after it began. Time will tell if he shows enough in Philadelphia to get a chance to play elsewhere. He will need to overcome any behavioral issues that caused the Steelers to not only find a potentially better option but also get rid of him.