Kenny Pickett Says Goodbye to Pittsburgh in Instagram Post

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett thanked the city of Pittsburgh for his time in the Steelers city in a post on Instagram on Sunday, two days after he was traded from the Steelers to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Pickett came to Pittsburgh in 2017 as a member of the Pitt Panthers, playing five collegiate years in the city before the Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple October 3, 2020 David Hague/PSN

By trading him to the Eagles, the Steelers sent the Ocean Township, New Jersey native back to the team that he rooted for growing up. Pickett also posted a picture of himself as a kid, holding a Donovan McNabb Eagles jersey.

“Thank you, Pittsburgh!” Pickett wrote. “I came to this city 7 years ago and my life changed forever. Grateful for all of the amazing people I was fortunate enough to cross paths with, and for all of those who supported me along the way. I made life-long friendships and relationships that I will always cherish. Now, I am honored and excited for the next opportunity in my career – being able to play for the team that helped me find my love for the game as a kid. Go Birds!! 🦅”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kenny Pickett (@kennypickett8)

Pickett did not mention the Steelers in his farewell. Pickett requested a trade from the team after the Steelers acquired Russell Wilson as a free agent early last week. 

After trading Pickett to the Eagles, the Steelers turned around and got Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears just one day later.