The NFL’s two Pennsylvania groups shook up the quarterback panorama on Friday, with the Pittsburgh Steelers buying and selling former first-round draft choose Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. The transfer clears the best way for Russell Wilson to turn into Metal Metropolis’s unquestioned new starter, whereas giving Philly a brand new high-profile backup for Jalen Hurts.
How did every workforce fare within the commerce? Solely time will inform, however listed below are our immediate reactions:
The commerce
- Eagles get: QB Kenny Pickett, 2024 fourth-round choose (No. 120)
- Steelers get: 2024 third-round choose (No. 98), two 2025 seventh-round picks
In keeping with Drafttek’s commerce worth chart, the Eagles basically surrendered the equal of a mid-fourth-rounder for Pickett.
The grades
Eagles: A-
Did the Eagles want to surrender a Day 2 choose for a backup? Not essentially. However Jalen Hurts has fought by accidents in consecutive seasons, and solely the unproven Tanner McKee remained on their depth chart after Marcus Mariota’s exit through free company. Pickett, in the meantime, is simply 25, solely two years faraway from going No. 20 general and brings 24 video games of beginning expertise. He is additionally cheaper than most backups available on the market, due simply $4.6 million by 2025 on his rookie deal. He’ll possible get pleasure from the very best supporting solid of his mercurial profession in Philly, enjoying for the workforce he grew up supporting. It is a traditional low-risk, high-reward wager at an important place within the sport by a workforce notoriously dedicated to QB2 investments.
Steelers: C-
Everybody knew that change and/or competitors was essential after Pickett’s first two seasons, even when the younger signal-caller was typically saddled with an unreliable employees or setup. Russell Wilson’s arrival as a short-term, albeit big-name rental signaled the membership’s confidence in Pickett had, the truth is, wavered. And but, did they actually need to dump him for so-so draft capital at this juncture? What if 35-year-old Wilson would not pan out? Or what if he does, however he peaks as wild-card materials? Certain, they are often credited for admitting Pickett is not “the man” reasonably than delaying the inevitable, however then why are additionally they leaking studies of Pickett’s obvious need to leap ship? As if he, not they, propelled this sudden break up? The Steelers definitely wanted to do one thing beneath heart, however this unceremonious axing of a long-term prospect comes off as unusually reactionary.