When Kenny Pickett arrived in Philadelphia in the summer of 2024 looking for a fresh start — he got the opportunity to backup Jalen Hurts. The Eagles had acquired him through a trade with the Steelers. His place as Pittsburgh’s Franchise Quarterback had become fluid with the arrival of veteran Russell Wilson — and so he requested the opportunity to play elsewhere.
Last season — Pickett played in five games for the World Championship Eagles and even started in a win against Dallas.
When it comes to allowing quarterbacks to thrive elsewhere — the Eagles have a history with that. Randall Cunningham’s last game in Philadelphia was in relief of an injured Rodney Peete in the 1996 Divisional Playoffs against the Cowboys. In the week leading up to the game — Cunningham missed time with the team due to the birth of his son. Cunningham would retire after the season but returned to football in 1997 and with the Minnesota Vikings in 1998 came one field goal away from the Super Bowl.
Sonny Jurgenson was drafted by the Eagles in 1957. When Norm Van Brocklin retired after winning the Championship in 1960, Jurgensen became the starter. After a season as an NFL passing leader and record setter with 3,723 yards in 1961 — on April 1st, 1964 — the Eagles traded him to the Washington Redskins in return for Norm Snead and defensive back Claude Crabb.
No team knows the value of a great backup quarterback better than the Eagles (just ask Nick Foles.) But since the Eagles have McKee — they looked to trade Kenny Pickett. Novacare is really high on Tanner McKee, and the Eagles leveraged Pickett for capital in return last summer.
Now Pickett returns to Philadelphia after being traded from Cleveland to Las Vegas in August. He’ll start against Philadelphia for the Raiders after an injury to Geno Smith. He’ll always be a champion in Philadelphia. But for one day — until 4:00 P.M. — we’ll have to root against him.
Just for one day.
The post Second Chances After Leaving the Nest appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.