Kenny Pickett Pitches A Fit And Gets Trade To Philly, Which Might Give Justin Fields An Opening In Pittsburgh

It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Kenny Pickett couldn't be thrilled about the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Russell Wilson this week. Ever since then it's been Russell Wilson this, Russell Wilson that among Yinzers.

And the Steelers have kind of joined in the celebration. 

Kenny Pickett Unhappy About Russellmania

So where was this Russellmania going to leave Pickett? 

It was either going to leave Pickett peeved he was looking like a second fiddle. Or it was going to leave him peeved and ready to compete for the starting job with Wilson. Or it was going to give everyone a third option.

And the Steelers are apparently taking the third option option.

The Steelers are trading Pickett across Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia Eagles, the entire Earth including OutKick has confirmed. CBS Sports was first to report the move.

The trade is contingent a physical so it is not official but, the teams are expected to exchange draft picks (not in the first round) to eventually make it work.

Steelers Job May Have Belonged To Wilson

And, again, why is it so?

Well, apparently, Pickett pitched something of a fit over Wilson's arrival. And maybe, just maybe, it was something of an understandable fit because the competition everyone thought was about to ensue between Pickett and Wilson was perhaps stacked a bit in Wilson's favor.

At least that was Pickett's understanding.

And he was none too thrilled about that.

The Steelers don't believe the competition was stacked in anyone's favor. It was going to be a competition but with Wilson getting the respect of opening practices with the starters.

Pickett didn't like that and asked out..

Anyway, let's have an NFL roster building lesson: It's not good to have a former first-round draft pick who played in town at the local university (Pickett played at Pitt), and is embraced by many, go into the locker room obviously upset. It's not a good look, it's bad the club's chemistry. It threatens the team's culture.

Plus, remember that coach Mike Tomlin said long ago he wanted his players to be volunteers not hostages.

Ben Roethlisberger shares advice with Kenny Pickett. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Pickett Becomes The Backup In Philly

So Pickett, valuable as a backup because he's a 2022 first-round draft pick, had to go.

And what does this mean for the Steelers?

Well, now they need an actual backup. 

It was likely going to be Pickett if he was correct about Wilson getting the starting job. Now the Steelers need someone because Mitch Trubisky was released and Mason Rudolph signed a deal to be the Tennessee Titans backup earlier this week.

So you want more intrigue?

The Eagles were OutKick's favorite to land Justin Fields as their backup. That's because the trade market for Fields – not to mention Zach Wilson – had collapsed in recent days and weeks.

Justin Fields doesn't love Chicago weather. (Credit: Getty Images)

Justin Fields To Steelers?

Well … Trade market rebuilt for Fields!

The Steelers were actually among the teams initially connected to Fields as a starting possibility. That, of course, was before the Steelers nuked everyone with the Wilson move.

But the Steelers can go back to Fields. Except it would be as their backup.

Sometimes 1 plus 1 equals 2 quarterbacks in new places.

No, the Fields addition is not certain in Pittsburgh. But the fact he's going to be on the move is a lock. The Bears are drafting Caleb Williams and, remember the roster building lesson: Can't have an unhappy quarterback who feels kind of discarded in the same locker room with the new guy.

So Fields will be traded or released.

And now he has a logical landing spot thanks to Kenny Pickett being peeved.