Such a pairing by no means labored out as meant. Pickett started his rookie season as a backup to Mitchell Trubisky, however discovered himself within the warmth of NFL battle by Week 4 when Tomlin known as on him to exchange the struggling Trubisky. From there by means of the halfway level of the 2023 season, Pickett remained the workforce’s starter, however he struggled to seek out consistency in each efficiency and availability, with quite a few accidents costing him enjoying time.
Probably the most damning signal that the Pickett period is perhaps near an finish got here when Tomlin determined to proceed with veteran backup Mason Rudolph over a wholesome Pickett within the last month of the Steelers’ 2023 season, which noticed Rudolph lead Pittsburgh to an unlikely playoff berth. The collection of occasions threw your entire quarterback state of affairs into the waters of uncertainty coming into 2024, main the Steelers to signal the just lately launched Wilson in March.
Pittsburgh apparently being intent to begin Wilson within the upcoming season has now led to the choice to commerce Pickett. He will not have an opportunity to begin in Philadelphia, both, the place franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts is firmly entrenched as QB1 coming into 2024.
Pickett’s struggles in Pittsburgh won’t ever absolutely be blamed solely on the quarterback. He spent a season and a half enjoying underneath embattled offensive coordinator Matt Canada, whose ineptitude as a play-caller enraged Steelers followers and at last compelled Tomlin to fireside him in the course of the 2024 season. Pickett confirmed glimpses of instant enchancment within the post-Canada world, however wasn’t in a position to keep on the sector lengthy sufficient to show it was Canada, not Pickett that was the issue underneath middle.
Steelers followers won’t ever know the reality, and can as an alternative gear up for a 2024 season with Wilson main the best way at quarterback. Pickett, in the meantime, will put together to carry a clipboard and absorb as a lot knowledge as doable from Hurts, head coach Nick Sirianni and the remainder of the Eagles in what’s shaping as much as be an essential season for the 2022 NFC champions.