With Kenny Pickett being formally introduced as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, questions surrounding his tenure in Pittsburgh were sure to arise.

More specifically, media members were going to pounce at the chance to glean any information on how Pickett’s tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers ended.

And Pickett gave them what they wanted.

Well, sort of…

Kenny Pickett on Leaving Pittsburgh:
“I think the communication, you know, is what it is, Pickett told reporters on Monday. “It was behind closed doors. 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 was the place I ended up landing in. So, I think everything happens for a reason and I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

This comes off the heels of reports that Pickett “refused to compete” when the Steelers signed Russell Wilson, which has been credibly reported to be false, and explained to me by sources as never happening.

But of course, people will push their narrative, one that aligns with another fabricated report of Pickett refusing to dress against the Seahawks in Week 17 of last season.

That also came up in the presser, with Pickett responding as such:

“There was a plan there, for that game,” Pickett told reporters on Monday. “It went down exactly the way it was planned to go down that entire week. I was coming off the ankle surgery, so it is what it is.”

Former #Steelers QB Kenny Pickett addressing the Russell Wilson situation and his departure pic.twitter.com/Z0zAyBNYHH

— Rob Gregson (@NFL_Rob) March 18, 2024

I don’t share this as defense of Pickett the player. Pickett didn’t live up to his draft status, and the Steelers feel (right or wrong) that they are a QB away from achieving their goals and Kenny isn’t that QB.

That is totally fine, and whether you agree or not, is at least logical thinking when it comes to constructing a roster that doesn’t include Pickett.

But let’s be clear here, Pickett never refused to be the backup in Week 17 of last season, and he didn’t run away from competition when Russell Wilson signed.

Former #Steelers QB Kenny Pickett on reports of him refusing to dress vs. Seattle in Week 17 pic.twitter.com/ERPN5yrD27

— Rob Gregson (@NFL_Rob) March 18, 2024

But you don’t have to take my word for it. The story about Pickett refusing to play has been debunked multiple times now, and some of the most credible members of the national media have explained why Pickett actually was traded.

And Pickett could have gone that route and called out the Steelers or false reports, but he instead gave the PC answer and played the important role of podium QB successfully.

So you can disapprove of his tenure and say he wasn’t good enough, most of which I would agree with. But don’t believe character assassination that comes with an obvious spin.