New Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett said he felt it was time for a fresh start following his trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I just thought it was time,” Pickett told reporters Monday. “It just felt like it was time from the things that transpired.”
Pickett, who was drafted in the first round by the Steelers two years ago, was dealt just days after his former team signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. The Pitt product reportedly handled Wilson’s signing poorly, which led to the trade.
The 25-year-old declined to elaborate but said he was sure he handled Wilson’s arrival the right way.
“I think the communication is what it is. It was behind closed doors,” Pickett said. “I’m confident the way that I handled it. I handled it the way I should have handled it.”
Pickett was reportedly told he would get a chance to compete but requested a trade after being told that Wilson would be in pole position for first-team reps, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
It was also reported that Pickett refused to dress as the emergency third-string quarterback for a Week 17 game against the Seattle Seahawks last season. Pickett also denied that report.
“I think that goes back to a lot of the communication behind closed doors. … There was a plan there for that game; it went down exactly the way it was planned to go down that entire week. I was coming off the ankle surgery, so it is what it is,” Pickett said.
Pickett suffered an ankle injury late last season and didn’t regain the starting job when healthy as Mason Rudolph finished the year as the Steelers’ starter. However, the Steelers publicly backed Pickett throughout the offseason leading up to his departure.
Pickett compiled a 14-10 record with 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 78.8 quarterback rating across his two seasons in Pittsburgh.
He’s expected to serve as Jalen Hurts’ backup in Philadelphia.
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