Kenny Pickett Ends Preseason With Another Subpar Performance
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett completed six of nine passes for 58 yards during the team's 3-26 preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The former first-round pick played the entire first half and ended the preseason with his third-straight underwhelming performance. While Pickett has started all three preseason games and has not played with any of the starting receiving corps, he has done little to nothing. While third-string quarterback Tanner McKee had a poor performance as well Saturday, he has looked much better this preseason and has made a strong case to be the No. 2 option behind starter Jalen Hurts. Because the Eagles made a trade for him this offseason, the 26-year-old will likely be the backup come Week 1. With that said, McKee is a name to watch this upcoming week.
Kenny Pickett Lackluster In Second Preseason Start
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett completed 11 of 13 passes for 67 yards and added two carries for six yards during the team's second preseason game against the New England Patriots. The former first-round pick started the game with a quick three-and-out but led the offense down the field for a field goal on the second drive. Pickett was sacked three times on his second-to-last drive and was taken out at the start of the second half for Tanner McKee. The 26-year-old is averaging 6.2 yards per completion through two starts and has done little to impress, although he has played with no starting receiver thus far. McKee had a solid night and was getting more second-team reps this past week in practice, but there is little doubt that Pickett will head into the regular season as the No. 2 behind Jalen Hurts. Pickett will play against the Minnesota Vikings next Saturday, but may not get the start if the starters see action for the first time this preseason.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett completed 14 of 22 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown, adding three carries for four yards in the Eagles' preseason opener. While it was rumored that the Philadelphia starters would see playing time during the preseason opener, the second-team unit started the game and played into the third quarter, led by the Eagles' offseason addition from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Without any starting receivers to throw to, the 26-year-old failed to throw for over 100 yards despite playing the entire first half and seeing snaps during the first drive of the second half. He was able to hit rookie running back Will Shipley for a seven-yard touchdown pass at the end of the first quarter. Pickett has received praise throughout the offseason but looked just as bland and was unable to complete big plays, something he struggled with in Pittsburgh last season. Luckily for him, there is no real competition for his spot as the No. 2 option for the Eagles, and he should see more playing time next week when the Eagles travel to New England next Thursday.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett was dealt to the organization following two underwhelming seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former first-round pick out of Pittsburgh University threw for just 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 25 starts to begin his career. The Eagles didn't give up much to acquire him, but he is reportedly still competing with Tanner McKee (a 2023 sixth-round pick) for the backup job behind Jalen Hurts. Both signal-callers are getting second-team reps, so this is a situation worth monitoring in superflex and two-QB leagues. Although Hurts has stayed mostly healthy during his pro career, his dual-threat style leaves him more susceptible to injury. If Hurts had to miss any time, Pickett or McKee would become a must-roster option in those formats, and either could have short-term upside given the high-end pass-catchers on the Philadelphia roster.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett joined the organization after spending just two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The University of Pittsburgh product posted 4,474 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 25 games for the Steelers after being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Needless to say, the Steelers gave up on him quickly and dealt him for mid-round pick swaps. Now in Philadelphia, the 26-year-old is embracing the change of scenery. "Change is a great thing," Pickett said. "I'm going through it right now. I was in Pittsburgh for seven years, and now I'm over in Philadelphia. I think a lot of people probably have some negative views on change, but that's really just your outlook on it. I think if you keep a positive mindset, it'll all work out for the better." While taking a step back could be a good thing for Pickett's career, he's unlikely to see any playing time anytime soon barring an injury to Jalen Hurts. That said, he could be an intriguing bench stash in two-QB and superflex leagues due to the offensive weaponry and offensive line the Eagles possess.
The Philadelphia Eagles are acquiring quarterback Kenny Pickett from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday in a pick swap, according to sources. It's unclear as of right now what draft picks are involved. Pickett, who opened last year as the Steelers' starting quarterback before getting hurt and losing the job to Mason Rudolph, preferred to move on after the team signed veteran QB Russell Wilson to a one-year deal this week in free agency. Pickett was likely to back up Wilson in 2024, but instead he'll be the backup for Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia with a move to the NFC. The 25-year-old former 20th overall pick out of Pitt in 2022 has looked like more of a backup in the NFL than a starter in his two years in the league, and this move certainly is a hit to his dynasty/keeper value moving forward.
Kenny Pickett Could Get Another Shot As Starting QB
The Pittsburgh Steelers have started the process of rebuilding third-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, and sources say that new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith recently spent time with Pickett in South Florida, and that the two had a "great" meeting. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the sentiment at last week's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, including some with the Steelers, was that Pickett could get another chance after a disastrous 2023 due in part to the offense's overall struggles under then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Smith could help maximize Pickett's skill set, but there's little doubt Pittsburgh will bring in competition for Pickett, which could mean a Mason Rudolph re-signing. The Steelers have also been mentioned as a possibility to trade for Bears QB Justin Fields, which would be even worse news for Pickett.
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said that he has "full faith" in quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickett, a former first-round pick, hasn't looked good in his first two NFL seasons, but lacking other options on their current roster, the Steelers are crossing their fingers that the 25-year-old can make improvements this offseason and earn the starting gig this summer in training camp. It doesn't mean that they won't look to re-sign Mason Rudolph or bring in another veteran in free agency to push Pickett for the starting gig, though. In 25 games (24 starts) since his rookie season in 2022, Pickett has completed only 62.6% of his pass attempts for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Not only was Pickett hurt in 2023, but he was also benched in favor of Rudolph late in the year. Unless he makes a drastic improvement in Year 3, Pickett might not be long for Pittsburgh.
Kenny Pickett Will Have Competition As Starter In 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that quarterback Kenny Pickett will return as the team's starter next season but will definitely have competition. The Steelers want Mason Rudolph to provide the competition for Pickett, but "he's a free agent." Pickett was mostly underwhelming in his 12 starts in 2023 before injuring his ankle in Week 13 and never playing again the rest of the year as Rudolph eventually took over and led the team to three straight wins to close out the regular season to help the team clinch a playoff spot. Since being taken in the first round in 2022, the 25-year-old Pickett has completed only 62.6% of his pass attempts for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 games (24 starts). He's going to have to play a lot better during training camp and the preseason to beat out Rudolph or whoever the Steelers bring in to compete with him.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (ankle) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session and doesn't carry an injury designation into the Week 18 regular season finale on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite Pickett looking healthy, the Steelers will stick with Mason Rudolph in a must-win game in Week 18. Rudolph has led this team to a 2-0 record with 564 yards and two touchdowns in his two starts. Pickett struggled throughout most of the season before going down with an ankle injury that required surgery. It's not shocking to see head coach Mike Tomlin sticking with the hot hand in Rudolph. The good news is that Pickett doesn't appear to be injured anymore, but he's going to have to win back the starting job in 2024.
