Quarterback Jalen Hurts gets first-round backup with Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles and Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers meet after an NFL game on Oct. 30, 2022, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Kenny Pickett has started 24 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the previous two NFL seasons. But in 2024, he’ll be slated for backup duty after being acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Philadelphia traded a 2024 third-round draft pick and two 2025 seventh-round draft picks to Pittsburgh for Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round draft choice, on Friday afternoon. The Steelers selected Pickett with the 20th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he started 12 games in each of the previous two seasons.

But Pickett became expendable when Pittsburgh signed quarterback Russell Wilson this week. Former Alabama standout Jalen Hurts is entrenched as the Eagles’ starting quarterback.

Last season, Marcus Mariota served as Hurts’ backup. Mariota left Philadelphia this week as a free agent as he signed with the Washington Commanders.

During his career, Pickett has completed 446-of-713 passes for 4,474 yards with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and run for 291 yards and four touchdowns on 97 carries.

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