Former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is officially receiving his first start of the season.
With Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts ruled out with a concussion, suffered against the Commanders last weekend, Pickett is stepping into the starting spot for the Eagles this weekend against the Cowboys.
Pickett received his first extended action of the season last weekend against the Commanders, playing most of the game in a loss. He 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 he was good to go earlier this week after dealing with a rib injury against the Commanders. He has a chance to show that he’s continued to grow since arriving in Philadelphia in March.
The 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.
Kenny 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.
