Kenny Pickett Calls Eagles Arrival A 'Good Reset' And Discusses How He Handled Trade Request

Let's agree that everything you've heard and continue to hear in the media about Kenny Pickett's departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers – both good and bad – is second-hand stuff.

None of us overheard the conversations coach Mike Tomlin had with Pickett when the Steelers began to engage Russell Wilson and then signed him. None of us.

One person who was in that conversation, Pickett, on Monday talked about the scenario that led him to request a trade and, contrary to reports, he thinks he handled things pretty well.

"Yeah, I think the communication is what it is. It's behind closed doors," Pickett said during his introductory press conference with the Philadelphia Eagles. "I'm confident in the way that I handled it. I handled it the way I should have handled it. You know, I'm excited to be here. It worked out so well that Philly is where I end up landing in. I think everything happens for a reason, and I'm right where I'm supposed to be."

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

So there is obviously a difference of opinion about whether Pickett indeed handled the situation correctly. Steelers sources say Pickett was told of the team's interest in Wilson, which wasn't an issue for the quarterback. But after Wilson signed, Pickett was told the club would somewhat defer to Wilson because of his veteran status, and he would initially get the first repetitions with starters in practice.

Pickett perhaps didn't buy into the competition being fair. So he requested a trade.

And in so doing, he turned his back on a chance to compete