Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Ramon Foster Thinks Kenny Pickett Should Be 'Livid' Over Consideration Of Russell Wilson

The Pittsburgh Steelers are searching for a veteran quarterback to add to their roster. Recently released Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is set to meet with the Steelers as the organization's search intensifies. The team drafted Kenny Pickett with the 20th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, hoping he would fill the position. However, Pickett has struggled to meet the level of an NFL-caliber starting quarterback in his two seasons. The Steelers are looking to improve and former offensive lineman Ramon Foster understands this. However, if he were Pickett, he would be upset that the team is bringing in a former Super Bowl winner to potentially take his job.

Foster shared his thoughts on the possibility of adding the nine-time Pro Bowler on Thursday's edition of The Ramon Foster Show. He said that these types of decisions being made in the clear eye of the public can make it tough on players, and he can understand why Pickett has a right to be annoyed by the conversations. 

"If I'm Kenny, I'm livid," he said. "Don't believe what they say, believe what they do. We've seen Arthur Smith in the first month on the job say he is excited to work with Pickett, then we go do the opposite thing." 

Pickett and Smith reportedly had a great meeting in Florida, where Pickett trains in the offseason. The former offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans and head coach of the Atlanta Falcons is on the record that he thinks he can be the guy to help fix Pickett's NFL career and put him on the right path to success. 

Foster said Pickett has a right to be angry, but he also doesn't feel sorry for him. NFL football teams are in the business of trying to get better every year. The former University of Pittsburgh product has not shown enough consistently to prove to the front office that he can help this team make the playoffs and win once they get there. 

Finding a star quarterback to lead your franchise is challenging. The Steelers waited decades before Terry Bradshaw passed the torch to Ben Roethlisberger. Fans lived through years of Bubby Brister, Neil O'Donnell and Kordell Stewart before the savior from Miami (OH) arrived in 2004. 

Pittsburgh is lucky to have two guys historically that can be called franchise quarterbacks. Some organizations have only had one, and others haven't had one at all. In a league that has become so quarterback-driven, finding the right signal-caller to lead your franchise is paramount, but not every guy can meet those expectations. 

Pickett seems to have the green light from the organization to give it another try, but this time around the leash will be shorter. During a press conference at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, General Manager Omar Khan stated that the team is determined to find strong competition for Pickett, indicating that he won't be given anything easily.

Steelers Adding Wilson Would Mean The End Of Pickett In Foster's View   

Wilson hasn't said he's willing to accept a backup role, but indicated on the I Am Athlete podcast that he wants to lead a team to multiple Super Bowls. That would suggest he's looking for a place to start games. Foster said acquiring Wilson would almost certainly suggest that the organization has given up on Pickett. 

Foster said bringing in a well-established personality in the league like Wilson, pretty much closes the door on the Pickett era in Pittsburgh after just two seasons. 

"Your quarterback that's on the roster after March 12, they don't believe in him essentially," Foster said about Pickett. "You're not bringing in Russell Wilson in and telling us that Kenny Pickett is your guy." 

Foster mentioned that he has not come across any reports suggesting that teams such as the Titans or the Washington Commanders are in talks to bring Wilson in. If cities with uncertain quarterback situations are not showing interest in acquiring Wilson's services, Foster wondered why Pittsburgh is pursuing him.

Pittsburgh will need to add at least one or two quarterbacks to the room for 2024. Whether Wilson is the right fit will come down to his expectations and what the Steelers can glean from meeting with him.

Do you agree with Foster that Pickett has a right to be mad if the team signs Wilson? Do you think he'd fit in Pittsburgh?