A method for reducing loads of a wind turbine includes determining an angular pitch speed parameter of the rotor blade of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining an operational state of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes comparing the angular pitch speed parameter to a predetermined parameter threshold during turbine shutdown and/or a commanded pitch event. If the operational state corresponds to a predetermined operational state, the method includes yawing a nacelle of the wind turbine away from an incoming wind direction when the angular pitch speed parameter is below the predetermined parameter threshold during the turbine shutdown and/or the commanded pitch event.