Kenny Pickett was drafted as a potential long-term answer at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 4 years later, he is with the Carolina Panthers, his fifth NFL team overall and his fourth since leaving Pittsburgh. Pickett requested a trade from the Steelers in March 2024 after the team signed Russell Wilson, and he was informed that Wilson would have the first opportunity to claim the starting job.
Pittsburgh sent Pickett to Philadelphia, and he later moved to Cleveland and Las Vegas before signing with Carolina. Pickett earned a Super Bowl ring as Jalen Hurts’ backup with the Eagles. Since leaving Pittsburgh, however, he has not secured a full-time starting position.
Steelers drafted Pickett after Roethlisberger’s retirement
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kenny Pickett with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pickett had played for the University of Pittsburgh, which shares its home stadium with the Steelers. Owner Art Rooney proudly introduced him as the long-awaited heir to Ben Roethlisberger.
Pickett did not begin his rookie season as the starter. He made his regular-season debut in Week 4 and his first NFL start against the Buffalo Bills in Week 5. He finished his rookie season with 2,404 passing yards, 7 touchdown passes, and 9 interceptions. The Steelers still believed at the time that he could grow into a steady starter.
Pickett entered the 2023 season as Pittsburgh’s unquestioned starter but later underwent ankle surgery. Mason Rudolph started the final 3 regular-season games, leading Pittsburgh to 3 consecutive victories and a playoff berth while Pickett remained on the sideline.
Wilson’s signing preceded Pickett’s trade request
In March 2024, the Steelers signed Russell Wilson to a 1-year contract. NFL Network reported that Pickett learned of Wilson’s planned arrival through social media after previously being told that he would have an opportunity to compete for the starting position.
According to the report, Mike Tomlin informed Pickett the following morning that Wilson was in the “pole position” and would receive the first-team repetitions. Pickett then requested a trade.
On March 16, 2024, Pittsburgh completed a deal sending Pickett and the No. 120 overall pick in the 2024 draft to Philadelphia. The Steelers received the No. 98 overall pick and 2 seventh-round selections in the 2025 draft.
Eagles trade gave Pickett a Super Bowl ring
Philadelphia acquired Kenny Pickett and the No. 120 overall selection in the 2024 draft. In return, Pittsburgh received the No. 98 overall pick and 2 seventh-round selections in the 2025 draft.
Pickett served as Jalen Hurts’ primary backup during the Eagles’ championship season, appearing in 5 regular-season games and making 1 start while finishing with 291 passing yards, 2 touchdown passes, and 1 interception.
The Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX. Pickett entered late, attempted 1 pass, and took the final kneel-downs. Before the game, he said he was grateful for the people he met in Pittsburgh and wished his time there had ended differently.
Narduzzi says Pickett sought another trade
Pickett spent the 2024 season behind Jalen Hurts, appearing in 5 regular-season games and making 1 start for the eventual Super Bowl champions. According to his college coach, Pat Narduzzi, Pickett wanted more than a bench role. He reportedly pushed hard for another move.
In a July 2026 interview, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said the Eagles did not want to trade Pickett but that the quarterback “begged” for a move because he wanted to compete and believed he had no realistic opportunity to unseat Hurts. Pickett has not publicly confirmed Narduzzi’s characterization.
In March 2025, Philadelphia traded Pickett to Cleveland. The Eagles received quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the No. 164 overall selection in the 2025 draft. The Eagles eventually granted his wish before the 2025 season.
Fun fact: Pickett broke Dan Marino’s Pitt record for career touchdowns during the 2021 season.
Cleveland’s stint ended before the regular season
The Eagles traded Pickett to Cleveland in March 2025 for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round draft pick, not a fourth-round selection.
Cleveland offered him a real shot at a starting job, pitting him against veteran journeyman Joe Flacco along with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett received first-team repetitions early in training camp, but Cleveland eventually selected Flacco as its opening-day starter, leaving Pickett without a clear role once again.
On Aug. 25, 2025, the Browns traded Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders for a fifth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pickett, therefore, left Cleveland before appearing in a regular-season game for the Browns. His time with the Browns barely lasted a full offseason.
Raiders chapter offered limited opportunities
Pickett spent the 2025 season primarily as Geno Smith’s backup with the Las Vegas Raiders. He appeared in 6 games and made 2 starts, completing 28 of 45 passes for 188 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions.
One of his starts came against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, after Smith suffered a shoulder injury, and Pickett completed 15 of 25 passes for 64 yards and an interception in a 31-0 loss.
Pickett became a free agent after the season and signed a 1-year contract with Carolina in March 2026, marking his fifth NFL stop since entering the league in 2022. The Panthers gave him a fresh chance to compete for a roster spot behind a young starting quarterback.
Panthers add Pickett behind Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers signed Pickett to a 1-year, $7.5 million contract that reportedly includes $4 million guaranteed. He joined a quarterback room led by starter Bryce Young, and head coach Dave Canales’ earlier relationship with Pickett, dating back to when Canales evaluated him as a Seattle Seahawks assistant before the 2022 draft, helped draw him to Carolina.
Pickett and Young were both finalists for the 2021 Heisman Trophy and spent time together during the award ceremony. Pickett said that shared experience gave them an existing connection before becoming Panthers teammates, and that environment could give him a fresh chance to prove himself.
As Carolina opens its 2026 training camp, Pickett is the experienced veteran behind Young, with undrafted rookie Haynes King also in the quarterback room, meaning Pickett’s immediate opportunity is expected to come in a backup role.
Pickett’s departure reflects Pittsburgh’s failed 2022 draft class
None of Pittsburgh’s 7 selections from the 2022 NFL Draft remain with the Steelers. The class included Pickett, George Pickens, DeMarvin Leal, Calvin Austin III, Connor Heyward, Mark Robinson, and Chris Oladokun.
Pickett’s departure remains the most visible disappointment because Pittsburgh used the No. 20 overall selection on him while seeking a successor to Ben Roethlisberger, and he lasted only 2 seasons with the franchise.
The quarterback situation described in the original account is outdated, since Russell Wilson played for Pittsburgh in 2024. As the Steelers prepare for the 2026 season, Aaron Rodgers is their veteran starter, while 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar is among the quarterbacks being developed for the future.
Pickett, notably, was a 3-star prospect ranked No. 738 nationally in the 2017 class by the 247Sports Composite.
Little-known fact: Pickett was a 3-star prospect ranked No. 738 nationally in the 2017 class by the 247Sports Composite.
TL;DR
- Kenny Pickett asked for a trade from the Steelers in 2024 after they signed Russell Wilson.
- Pittsburgh sent him to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he won a Super Bowl ring as a backup.
- The Eagles later traded him to the Cleveland Browns, where he lost a camp battle to Joe Flacco.
- Pickett then backed up Geno Smith with the Las Vegas Raiders before another offseason move.
- He now backs up Bryce Young with the Carolina Panthers under coach Dave Canales.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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