March 15, 2024   2 MIN READ

Pickett Pickup

Team Trades for New Backup QB

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The Philadelphia Eagles have joined in on the recent bevy of trades for a backup quarterback.

According to ESPN, the team is set to acquire 2022 first round pick Kenny Pickett from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kenny Pickett

GETTY IMAGES: The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired QB Kenny Pickett to become the new backup quarterback.

The pick swap moves the Eagles out of the third round and gives them their only fourth round selection of the 2024 draft.

Pickett is among several starting QBs from the 2023 season that have been traded in the past week to become a backup, joining Mac Jones (from New England to Jacksonville), Desmond Ridder (from Atlanta to Arizona), and Sam Howell (from Washington to Seattle).

With the departure of Marcus Mariota to the Washington Commanders, the Eagles needed a new backup behind Jalen Hurts with only 2023 sixth round pick Tanner McKee on the roster.

Pickett was the lone quarterback selected in the opening round of the ā€™22 NFL Draft with the unenviable task of replacing future-hall-of-famer Ben Roethlisberger.

Across two seasons and 24 games as a starter, Pickett has thrown for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on 62% completion percentage in an unimpressive offense. A late-season injury made way for Mason Rudolph to start the closing stretch of the season and the teamā€™s Wild Card game.

Now, the Steelers have chosen to go a different direction at QB, bringing in Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson.

The Eagles, always placing high value on the backup quarterback position and always looking to acquire high-upside talent at a low cost, combine both with the trade for Pickett.

As a bonus, Pickett is a lifelong Birds fan.

ā€“ Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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