Steelers news: Lamar Jackson seeks trade, Tomlin speaks on Kenny Pickett, and more

For fans of all teams in the AFC North, it was an eventful start to the week. With the winds settling on free agency and teams looking ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft, there was a big development divisional development that could prove to affect the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Coaches and executives are on hand at the annual NFL owner's meeting, and things are stating to get spicey. Here's the latest Steelers news.

Steelers news:

On Monday, Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson, took to social media and expressed that he had asked for a trade all the way back on March 2nd. Jackson had a heartfelt message to his fans, but noted that this is a 'business decision' and that he needs to move on.

Ironically, John Harbaugh -- who was interviewed at the NFL owner's meeting -- is convinced that Jackson will be his quarterback for the 2023 season (or so he tells the media). However, the two sides clearly aren't seeing eye to eye. Interestingly, Albert Breer reports that a representative reached out to the Patriots saying that Lamar wants to come to New England.

Regardless of what you think of Lamar Jackson, the latest news impacts the Steelers one way or another, as these two AFC North rivals face each other twice per year. If this isn't resolved, Pittsburgh could be suiting up against a new Ravens QB moving forward.

More Steelers news:

At the NFL earners meeting, the media had a chance to catch up with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin where he was asked a number of questions about the offseason, free agency, and the NFL Draft. Among many things he shared, Tomlin had some very kind things to say about Pickett at the NFL owner's meeting, via A to Z Sports:

""I'm excited about Kenny individually in terms of the growth that he's capable of making and, and what he's willing to do to realize that. I think I'm probably more excited about that because I've just been around him intimately now for 12 months. There were some anticipation things because of the close proximity that we've all talked about quite a bit, but the reality of having worked with him for 12 months, it's just more evidence of what we should be excited about -- his willingness to work, his professional approach, his maturity in processing. It's exciting.""

- Mike Tomlin

Pickett had a rocky start to his career when he was thrust into action early, but took much better care of the football following the bye week. His game-winning drives in the second half of the season perhaps showed a glimpse of what's to come. Tomlin is looking for him to take a second-year leap.

NFL news:

In NFL news, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports recently conducted a three-round mock draft. Interestingly, Wilson has the Pittsburgh Steelers double-dipping at safety -- taking Alabama's Brian Branch in the first round and Sacramento State's Marte Mapu in the third. This seems like a very unlikely scenario considering the needs the Steelers still have. Wilson has Joey Porter Jr. being selected one pick before Pittsburgh in the first round.