Quarterback Kenny Pickett is taking major heat for how his departure went with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But criticism of Pickett is not just coming from fans, but also former players, including ex-wide receiver Nate Washington.
The former Steelers wideout attacked Pickett on X (formerly Twitter) after watching the quarterback explain in his introductory press conference with the Philadelphia Eagles why he wanted to leave Pittsburgh.
“Transfer portal babies! Smdh,” Washington posted on X.
Washington clarified his tweet, arguing that Pickett is “a product of the generation” he is from. However, the former receiver continued to bash Pickett in a response to a fan on X.
“LMAO he knows better and will regret his decision in the long run! SMH,” Washington wrote in response to a fan wondering if Pickett thinks he will start ahead of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Washington then posted a GIF with a satirical conversation between Pickett and Steelers general manager Omar Khan.
Kenny: I wanna leave
Omar: We already got ya paper work together..
Kenny: I-….
Washington played 11 seasons in the NFL, including his first four with the Steelers. He signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent in 2005 and spent most of that season on the team’s practice squad.
In his four seasons with the Steelers, Washington won two Super Bowl rings. He recorded 40 catches for 631 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2008 to contribute to the second championship.
Washington also played for the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans. In 2011, he posted a career-high 1,023 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
ESPN’s Damien Woody Rips QB Kenny Pickett
Washington isn’t in the NFL media, but another former player who is, former offensive lineman Damien Woody, criticized Pickett too.
A 10-plus year NFL player and 2-time Super Bowl champion like Washington, Woody questioned Pickett’s competitive edge.
“Bro, you didn’t want to compete with Russell Wilson? Russell Wilson, who went from the Seahawks to the Broncos and now to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a matter of a few years? And you running away from competition?” Woody said on ESPN. “That tells me more about you than anything.
“And so the Pittsburgh Steelers are probably looking at the situation like, ‘Good, I’m glad. I’m glad you expressed that to us because now we can move on to guys who wanna be not only here but want to compete and upgrade our quarterback room.”
Those comments echo what The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly said while on 93.7 The Fan on March 16. Kaboly argued that Pickett’s exit in Pittsburgh will be a “black mark” on his career.
Mike Florio Implies Kenny Pickett Acted Entitled in Steelers Exit
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio joined in on bashing Pickett as well. He doubled down on his criticism of Pickett on March 19.
“We talked a lot about Kenny Pickett yesterday, and apparently some people, I don’t know, I don’t know if it’s necessarily noteworthy or controversial to suggest that Kenny Pickett was acting entitled. I mean, he started 24 games. He threw 13 touchdown passes, he threw 13 interceptions,” Florio said, via Steelers Depot. “And the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that he didn’t like how he was treated late last year, and he didn’t like the fact that they brought in Russell Wilson.
“Well, you’re not Terry Bradshaw. You’re not Ben Roethlisberger, Kenny. You’re not gonna get special treatment in the NFL.
“This isn’t high school. There’s no birthright. There’s no entitlement. You get what you earn, and if you don’t earn it, you get done. And he’s gone to Philadelphia.”
Pickett got his wish and is no longer a member of the Steelers. He will presumably serve a backup for Jalen Hurts during the 2024 season.
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Former Steelers WR Puts QB Kenny Pickett on Blast