Kenny Pickett set to be Jalen Hurts’ backup at Eagles as Steelers trade him after signing Russell Wilson

The Eagles GM, Howie Roseman, has been on a roll this offseason with his team signings.

Kenny Pickett set to be Jalen Hurts’ backup at Eagles as Steelers trade him after signing Russell Wilson

(L) Jalen Hurts and (R) Kenny Pickett (Image via IMAGO)

Just two years after entering the NFL, Kenny Pickett is no longer part of the Pittsburgh Steelers team. He has agreed to be the backup to Jalen Hurts for the Philadelphia Eagles.

This development arose after the Steelers decided to sign veteran quarterback Russell Wilson on a one-year deal. Pickett reportedly asked for a trade when head coach Mike Tomlin told him on Monday that Wilson would get first-team reps. Not only that, he is in pole position to be QB1 in 2024.

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After starring for the University of Pittsburgh in college football, many thought the local boy’s transition to the NFL would be smooth. The consensus was that Pickett would be the long-awaited replacement for Ben Roethlisberger. 

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During his rookie campaign in 2022, Pickett started as the backup to Mitch Trubisky. But constant below-average performances forced Tomlin’s hands, and he had to install the first-year QB as the starter. Even though the Steelers managed to win games, he found it difficult to emulate his college heroics.

With just 1.8% of the minimum 500 pass attempts, Kenny Pickett had the lowest touchdown ratio in NFL history. He had 13 touchdowns and 13 picks in 25 games before being benched for third-choice Mason Rudolph.

Tomlin perhaps figured out it was time to part ways. Per NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, he sent Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 98) and the Eagles’ highest two seventh-round draft picks in the deal.

Kenny Pickett is one of the many blockbuster signings by the Eagles this season

Howie Roseman has been busy making the Eagles competitive once again. After reaching Super Bowl LVII, they capitulated the following year, despite a 10-1 start to the season. But at the rate that Rosman is making roster changes, Philly natives can dream of another Super Bowl run.

Kenny Pickett set to be Jalen Hurts' backup at Eagles as Steelers trade him after signing Russell Wilson
Kenny Pickett (#8) throws in the first quarter of a Week 12 NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals (Image via IMAGO)

Thus far, he has signed Saquon Barkley, CJ Gardner Johnson, Devante Parker, Devin White, and Bryce Huff. On Friday, he added one more item to his successful shopping list: Kenny Pickett.

The Eagles needed a new quarterback as veteran Marcus Mariota signed with the Washington Commanders last week. A slot was open, hence the Pickett deal. But if the 25-year-old believes he will be starting over Jalen Hurts, then he is barking up the wrong tree.

Even though there have been question marks on Hurts’ performances in recent times, there’s no question that he will remain the starting quarterback for the Eagles in 2024. He played all 17 games last season, throwing more than 3850 yards for 23 touchdowns while covering 605 yards on the ground, and by using the tush-push, he nudged 15 touchdowns in the league.

It’s hard to picture Pickett playing ahead of Hurts with those stats. But both players have to go through OTAs and several training sessions before the coaching staff determines who will be their starter. But if he was going to play back up, then perhaps he should have just stayed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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