The Eagles fell short against the Commanders on Sunday, as Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels threw a game-winning touchdown with just under 10 seconds in the fourth quarter. Still, Kenny Pickett did enough to put the Eagles in a position to win.
Eagles starter Jalen Hurts went down with a concussion in the first half of the game, and Pickett entered the game in his first extended action of the season.
Pickett completed 14-of-24 pass attempts for 143 yards with a touchdown and interception, adding 13 yards on the ground, in relief. He wasn’t perfect, but he also wasn’t helped by his playmakers either.
Wideout DeVonta Smith dropped a pass over the middle field just before the two minute warning, which allowed the Commanders a chance to come back and win the game, 36-33.
It was a gutsy effort by Pickett, who said after the game that he will have X-rays on his ribs early this week.
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Pickett to the Eagles on March 16, after spending two seasons with the team. And even through a disappointing tenure with the Steelers, Pickett reflected positively on his time in Pittsburgh.
“(I) gave everything I had there and loved all of my teammates and coaches that I came across — some absolutely great memories that I’ll take forever and lifelong friendships,” Pickett said following the trade. “And just talking to guys after it all went down, grateful that we had the time we had together.”
Pickett was one of the best quarterbacks in college football in 2021, completing 334-of-497 pass attempts (67%) for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions — adding 241 yards and five more touchdowns on the ground.
He finished his Pitt career as the all-time leader in passing yards, completions, total offense, touchdowns responsible for and passing touchdowns. He’s thrown the most 300-yard passing games (16) and 400-yard passing games (five) and his 32 wins are the most as a Pitt starter.
Pickett completed 1,045-of-1,674 career passing attempts (just over 62%) for 12,303 yards and 81 touchdowns, to just 32 interceptions, in 52 career appearances (49 starts). He also added 809 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.
He led Pitt to its first ACC title in 2021, earning All-ACC, All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist honors. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.
Pickett threw for 4,474 yards (62.6% completion) with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his 25 games as a Steeler, and while he wasn’t put in the best situation to succeed in the NFL, his lack of production was problematic. The Steelers brought signed Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in March, and it spelled the end for Pickett and the Steelers.
Kenny Pickett may not be the starter in Philadelphia, but he waited in the wings for another opportunity with a good Eagles offense. And that opportunity arrived on Sunday.
Good for Kenny. Good guy. Hope he picks up his MBA.
He’s awful. Please send him back to Pittsburgh