Kenny Pickett Posts Photo of Childhood Eagles Jersey After Trade from Steelers
Kenny Pickett #KennyPickett
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Kenny Pickett is fulfilling a childhood dream with his new team.
The New Jersey native was reportedly dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday alongside a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and two seventh-round picks in 2025.
Philadelphia moves down from 98 to 120 in the upcoming draft and also loses the two late-round picks, but add Pickett, who was a first-round pick in 2022 and has starting experience, as a backup behind Jalen Hurts.
Pickett appears to be excited at the change of scenery, as he posted a photo on Instagram of him unwrapping a Donovan McNabb Eagles jersey on Christmas when he was a child.
Other childhood photos of Pickett in Eagles gear show that he grew up admiring the team while growing up in New Jersey, which means that this serves as a homecoming of sorts for the third-year quarterback.
While it will not be a starting role for Pickett, he will hope it can serve as a career resurgence. He went 14-10 as a starter in Pittsburgh, throwing for 4,474 yards and 13 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. While the team experienced some success, the franchise jumped at the chance to sign Russell Wilson when the veteran became available.
This made Pickett, who was not the Steelers starter in its Wild Card Round defeat to the Buffalo Bills, expendable, and he is now with the Eagles. He has at least two seasons remaining on his rookie contract, with his fifth-year option being on the table as well.
He will be a capable backup behind Hurts and should have a chance to rebuild his reputation and make a case to start again in the future.