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Kenny Pickett’s stock has gone from franchise quarterback to cast-aside backup in just two NFL seasons, but he’s ready to embrace his new role with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Change is a great thing,” Pickett told Ben Istvan of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “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.”
Pickett started 24 games over the past two seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers after being taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. While Pittsburgh went 14-10 in Pickett’s starts, he was a consistent disappointment from an individual production standpoint. The Pitt product threw for 4,474 yards and 13 touchdowns against 13 interceptions over 713 pass attempts.
Pickett finished last among qualifying quarterbacks in touchdown rate each of the last two seasons. He was the only quarterback under the two percent mark in 2022 and 2023 and the first quarterback overall under that mark since 2017.
While Pickett also limited turnovers well, his conservative nature and futility in the red zone prompted the Steelers to move on this offseason. Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson in free agency and traded for Justin Fields to completely revamp its quarterback room, with Pickett being sent to the Eagles in a shuffling of draft picks.
Pickett will serve as the backup behind Jalen Hurts this season and seemingly hasn’t lost faith in himself as his career reached a low point.
“The world has enough doubters,” Pickett said. “There are plenty of people that are doubting. That’s probably the majority of people that are out there in the media, fan bases. But … coaches, family members, if you turn your mind around and try and prove them right and what they believe in you, you’ll be in a more positive mindset.”