Posted May 25, 20241 yr Ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Strong At Eagles OTA's Reportedly Outperforming Jalen Hurts by Parker Abate, Associate Editor May 23, 2024 • 6:52 pm The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have to worry about the quarterback position for nearly two decades until Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season. Following the legend's hanging up of the cleats, some may say that the franchise panicked by selecting University of Pittsburgh product Kenny Pickett with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Those believing that had their opinions validated once the organization traded Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles early in the 2024 offseason. No one will ever know if he could have become the franchise signal-caller in the Steel City, but he sure was a waste of a first-round pick. Former Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) makes a throw during the team's 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. It was extremely unfortunate that Pickett couldn't emerge as the unquestioned starter for the Steelers. The coaching staff tried to get the best out of him, but a mix of Matt Canada and Pickett's poor decision-making ended up destroying what could have been. Paul Zeise, a columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, found a social media post about Pickett out-performing Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during the Philadelphia's Organized Team Activities. Zeise certainly made light of the situation, as he normally does, but it is intriguing that an Eagles writer, Ed Kracz wanted to make a point of Pickett looking better than ever. Kracz specifically writing that the Eagles can still win games if Hurts goes down leads one to think that Pickett thinks that he excel in an offense that doesn't necessarily fit his strengths. It's very hard to believe that Pickett could perform at an increasingly higher level than he did with the Steelers, especially as a back-up, but OTAs always given certain players an opportunity to step in and showcase their talents. Former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) winds up to make a throw during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Pickett showed flashes with the Steelers, especially at the latter half of in his rookie season. The quarterback led the team to more than one late-game comeback and followed it up with an exciting preseason in 2023. Unfortunately, injuries and overall inconsistent play led to the organization turning against him. Russell Wilson was brought in which ultimately led to Pickett being traded. Then, Pittsburgh acquired Justin Fields to further a clear opinion inside the building that the quarterback room needed to be updated. Pickett had a forgettable stat line with the Steelers, throwing only 13 touchdowns with the same amount of interceptions in 24 starts. The franchise clearly decided that brining in a veteran and young play-maker was more intriguing than a 2022 first-round pick that never was able to prove that he could be the starter for the next decade or more. https://www.steelernation.com/2024/05/23/steelers-strong-kenny-pickett-jalen-hurts
May 25, 20241 yr It's funny how a guy covering the first open OTA, watching the 7 v 7 drills compliments Pickett and somehow people want to equate that to "out-performing" Hurts. Did Pickett out-perform him in the stretching activities too?
May 28, 20241 yr Author On 5/25/2024 at 6:51 AM, time2rock said: Oh dear Lord, wasn't expecting to see this nonsense being posted here too. Here's what I would say to that - this story with Pickett is a good story for the Eagles. Everybody knows it's nonsense to start a QB controversy after one OTA open to the media in May. The inference of the story - that Pickett is better than Hurts - is laughable. But, it's a good thing if Pickett turns out to be a player with a little moxie who can carry the team if needed. I was never comfortable with Garner Minshew or Marcus Mariota as backups. With Pickett, you tie up a good player on the cheap for a couple of years, and if you have a situation like w the Vikings in 2017, you flip him for a good pick.
May 28, 20241 yr 2 hours ago, Procus said: Here's what I would say to that - this story with Pickett is a good story for the Eagles. Everybody knows it's nonsense to start a QB controversy after one OTA open to the media in May. The inference of the story - that Pickett is better than Hurts - is laughable. But, it's a good thing if Pickett turns out to be a player with a little moxie who can carry the team if needed. I was never comfortable with Garner Minshew or Marcus Mariota as backups. With Pickett, you tie up a good player on the cheap for a couple of years, and if you have a situation like w the Vikings in 2017, you flip him for a good pick. I most definitely agree with you on all that (the part in particular about statements being made that Hurts is being outplayed by Pickett following a single OTA session ... you are spot on that is laughable and the reason for my earlier response). It's nothing more than clickbait nonsense. It was posted all over social media ... it was getting a bit annoying seeing it everywhere.
May 28, 20241 yr 4 hours ago, Procus said: With Pickett, you tie up a good player on the cheap for a couple of years, and if you have a situation like w the Vikings in 2017, you flip him for a good pick. This was honestly my 1st thought. It just takes 1 QB to go down for Howie to make a move to gain picks.
May 29, 20241 yr The back up QB is all about insurance.......some insurance policies aren't worth the paper they're written on and some are very good. Kenny Pickett is a talented QB......as he picks up the offense more and more, he increases his value to the team by closing that gap between starter and backup. Pickett can't win the starter position because it simply is not up for grabs......he's the backup. Hurts is the starter. The only way Pickett plays is if Hurts gets injured or the eagles have an insurmountable lead in a game. However, in those games, he can increase his market value and perhaps give the eagles a trade chip going forward.
May 30, 20241 yr On 5/28/2024 at 4:24 PM, Portyansky said: This was honestly my 1st thought. It just takes 1 QB to go down for Howie to make a move to gain picks. Whilst I agree with this I’m not sure he is going to increase his value too much? He may a little (and if he does then well done to Howie) but at that point does it become worth trading him? Say he looks good during TC and we could get a third is that worth it? If he’s showing he could be a decent back up as we know Hurts tends to get hurt.
May 30, 20241 yr The idea of one QB "outplaying" the other one at OT friggin A's is pretty hilarious. That's like saying Kenny Pickett looked better during stretching drills, really got those hammies good and loose. That said, it's definitely good to hear he looked sharp.
May 30, 20241 yr CTE: The Hidden Blight on the Sports Writing Industry, an ESPN documentary coming soon.
May 31, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, time2rock said: Maybe we'll be able to trade Kenny for 2 1s before the end of OTAs! LMFAO How insane would that be??!! Hell, I'd take two 2's for him. Or even two 3's. 😎
June 2, 20241 yr Kenny Pickett performing better than Hurts in practice? We talkin about practice? That's a low bar. Not very challenging. It was just one day. And, saying you're better (for one day) than Hurts in practice is just like saying... Kenny Pickett is the prettiest ugly girl (for one day). The next day, we're back to Jalen being the prettiest ugly girl. Neither of these guys was any good last year. And, neither can throw over the middle.
June 3, 20241 yr 10 hours ago, CouchKing said: Kenny Pickett performing better than Hurts in practice? We talkin about practice? That's a low bar. Not very challenging. It was just one day. And, saying you're better (for one day) than Hurts in practice is just like saying... Kenny Pickett is the prettiest ugly girl (for one day). The next day, we're back to Jalen being the prettiest ugly girl. Neither of these guys was any good last year. And, neither can throw over the middle. Regarding that last line, sure hope with a new scheme on offense and a new QB coach that gets corrected (it absolutely needs to).
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