Quarterback Kenny Pickett. Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Clark torches Eagles' Kenny Pickett over Steelers exit

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/10/24

Former NFL defensive back and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark didn't hold back while discussing how Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett allegedly handled the final days of his Pittsburgh Steelers tenure earlier this offseason.

"From what I hear, Kenny Pickett actually had an opportunity to compete there," Clark said about the matter during the latest edition of the "All Things Covered" podcast. "And he didn't want it. So now he's going to be a lifelong backup."

Pickett reportedly "preferred to move on" from the Steelers after he "handled the arrival of Russell Wilson" poorly. Wilson agreed to a team-friendly contract to join the Steelers in March, and he referenced competing with the 2022 first-round draft pick shortly before it was learned that the Steelers had traded Pickett to the Eagles.

Pickett lost the Pittsburgh starting job to injury and to backup Mason Rudolph last season. It was reported that Pickett essentially refused to dress for the club's Week 17 game at the Seattle Seahawks because he "was very unhappy that he wasn't starting" that Sunday, but he strongly denied that claim.

Clark made it known as far back as March that he wasn't a Pickett fan. Per Jeremy Pike of Steelers Depot, Clark said at that time that "Pickett is not going to be your leader to the promised land of excellence" for any team:.

Clark seemingly is right that there's no indication the Steelers are handing Wilson any promises about playing time at this stage of the process. Pittsburgh replaced Pickett on the roster by sending a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick to the Chicago Bears for Justin Fields, and it's widely believed that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will give Fields a legitimate opportunity to win the starting job this summer.

As for Pickett, he's now with an Eagles team that's committed to Jalen Hurts as its franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future after Hurts signed a five-year contract extension last offseason. Pickett presumably would've had a better chance to climb atop a depth chart had he competed with Wilson later this year, and one can't help but wonder if individuals around the NFL agree with Clark about Pickett lacking the mentality needed to excel as a QB1 at the highest level.

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