Tag: Kenny Pickett

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) practices before Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Browns won’t exercise QB Kenny Pickett’s option

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Entering the final season of his four-year rookie contract, quarterback Kenny Pickett won’t have his fifth-year club option picked up by the Cleveland Browns, multiple media outlets reported on Monday.

Pickett, 26, who will make $2.623 million this coming season, is set to compete with veteran Joe Flacco and 2025 draft picks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, with Deshaun Watson out indefinitely with a right Achilles tendon injury.

Pickett’s fifth-year club option would be worth $22.117 million, per Cleveland.com.

A first-round pick (20th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles last March and spent the season as Jalen Hurts’ backup. In five games (one start), Pickett completed 25 of 42 passes (59.5 percent) for 291 yards, two TDs and one interception.

In three seasons with the Steelers (2022-23) and Eagles, Pickett has 471 completions in 755 attempts (62.4 percent) for 4,765 yards, 15 TDs and 14 interceptions. He went 14-10 as a starter with Pittsburgh, then won his lone start of 2024 in place of an injured Hurts en route to a Super Bowl championship.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Browns trade for Eagles QB Kenny Pickett

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns acquired quarterback Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick on Monday, per multiple media outlets.

With Deshaun Watson experiencing a setback in January in his recovery from an Achilles injury, the Browns’ QB situation is unsettled, potentially giving the 25-year-old Pickett a chance to win the starting job.

A first-round pick (20th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, Pickett was traded to the Eagles last March and spent the season as Jalen Hurts’ backup. In five games (one start), Pickett completed 25 of 42 passes (59.5 percent) for 291 yards, two TDs and one interception.

In three seasons with the Steelers (2022-23) and Eagles, Pickett has 471 completions in 755 attempts (62.4 percent) for 4,765 yards, 15 TDs and 14 interceptions.

Thompson-Robinson, 25, was a fifth-round pick of the Browns in 2023 and has made five starts over 15 appearances the past two seasons. He has completed 121 of 230 pass attempts (52.6 percent) for 880 yards, one touchdown and 10 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Kenny Pickett (ribs) injured vs. Cowboys

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett injured his ribs on the opening drive of the second half against the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

The Eagles said Pickett is questionable to return.

Pickett also injured his ribs during last weekend’s loss at Washington after replacing starter Jalen Hurts, who remains in the concussion protocol.

After absorbing a late hit from Osa Odighizuwa a few plays earlier, Pickett took another shot from Micah Parsons and had to leave the game.

Pickett was replaced by Tanner McKee, who made his NFL debut with a handoff to Saquon Barkley before Jake Elliott’s 26-yard field goal extended the Eagles’ lead to 27-7.

In his first start for Philadelphia, Pickett completed 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a score before heading to the locker room with 8:03 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Kenny Pickett expects to be ‘ready to go’ vs. Cowboys

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If Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts is unavailable for their Week 17 tilt with the rival Dallas Cowboys, they’ll at least have Kenny Pickett at their disposal.

Hurts remains in concussion protocol while also dealing with a finger injury on his non-throwing hand. He did not practice on Thursday, but QB2 Pickett (ribs) was a full participant.

Pickett told reporters after practice Thursday that he expects to be able to play. He “tested out some different things padding-wise” in anticipation of being on the field Sunday against visiting Dallas, when the Eagles can clinch the NFC East title with a victory.

“It is what it is. Just something I’m going to have to deal with,” Pickett said. “So, yeah, I’ll be ready to go for Sunday.”

Hurts was injured last Sunday in the Eagles’ loss to the Washington Commanders. His head hit the turf while being tackled by Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner.

Hurts connected on just 1 of 4 passes for 11 yards before he exited the game. Pickett took over and produced 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 14-of-24 passing as Washington rallied to beat Philadelphia 36-33.

It was later revealed that Pickett hurt his ribs during the game.

“I think after a couple more days, getting a chance to kind of rest it a little bit more, go do some rehab, I’ll be good for Sunday,” Pickett said.

The only other quarterback on the Eagles’ roster is Tanner McKee, a sixth-round pick in 2023 who has yet to play a snap for them. Philadelphia signed quarterback Ian Book to the practice squad earlier Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) against Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (concussion) estimated as missing practice

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is in concussion protocol and would not have practiced Wednesday, while his replacement, Kenny Pickett, would have been listed as a limited participant on the injury report because of a ribs issue.

The Eagles did not practice on Wednesday, so the report was an estimation of how the players would have been listed. Hurts exited Philadelphia’s 36-33 road loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday due to a head injury, while Pickett sustained a rib injury.

Hurts, 26, also has a left finger injury listed on the report. The Eagles (12-3) host the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) on Sunday with a chance to clinch the NFC East title.

Also listed with an injury designation on Wednesday were linebacker Nakobe Dean (abdomen) and running back/returner Will Shipley (concussion protocol). Wide receiver Britain Covey (neck) and defensive end Bryce Huff (wrist) were estimated to be full participants. Covey has not played since the win over the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 1, while Huff is in the 21-day practice window to come off injured reserve.

Hurts has started all 15 games this season for Philadelphia and is 248 of 361 for 2,903 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. Hurts also has rushed 150 times for 630 yards and an NFL co-leading 14 rushing scores.

Pickett, 26, has appeared in four games this season after the Eagles acquired him in March in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is 15 of 27 for 148 yards, one touchdown and one pick.

The Eagles have one other quarterback on their roster, Tanner McKee. A sixth-round pick in 2023 out of Stanford, McKee has yet to play a snap for Philadelphia.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Steelers trade QB Kenny Pickett to Eagles

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The Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday traded quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles for three draft picks, multiple outlets reported.

The Steelers also gave up a fourth-round draft pick (No. 120 overall) in this year’s draft, according to ESPN. Pittsburgh will receive a third-round draft pick (No. 98 overall) this year and two seventh-round draft picks in 2025.

The trade comes after veteran quarterback Russell Wilson agreed to a one-year deal this week to join the Steelers.

The move slots Pickett behind Jalen Hurts as the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback. Pickett, 25, made 12 starts for the Steelers last season, with the team going 7-5 in those games. He completed 62.0 percent of his passes in 2023 for 2,070 yards and six touchdowns with four interceptions.

Pickett was expected to return from an ankle injury and close out the 2023 regular season as the Steelers’ starter, but Mason Rudolph ended up as the starter over the final three weeks of the season. Pittsburgh won all three of those games and qualified for the playoffs.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said health was not a consideration for his decision to start Rudolph over Pickett in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens.

Pickett was the 20th overall selection out of the University of Pittsburgh in the 2022 draft, Pickett completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 4,474 yards and 13 TDs with 13 interceptions.

The Steelers now will be on the market for a backup quarterback.

Pittsburgh parted ways with Mitchell Trubisky, who signed a two-year contract to back up Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills. Rudolph signed with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday to compete with Will Levis and Malik Willis for the starting job.

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) throws in the third quarter during a Week 16 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelersl, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Steelers stick with Mason Rudolph over healthy Kenny Pickett

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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced Monday that he’s sticking with Mason Rudolph in the Week 18 finale against rival Baltimore.

Tomlin said the health of season-long starting quarterback Kenny Pickett is not in question. Pickett, who had been recovering from an ankle injury, returned to practice in limited fashion last week.

“I think Kenny’s availability is less in question this week. That being said, we’re going to leave the ball in Mason Rudolph’s hands,” Tomlin told reporters.

Rudolph passed for 274 yards in the Steelers’ key 30-23 win at Seattle on Sunday. He didn’t throw a touchdown or an interception, completing 18 of 24 passes.

The Steelers (9-7) are currently the No. 9 seed in the AFC and would be out of the playoffs if the postseason started today. They do not control their own destiny and could still make the postseason with a loss, according to multiple scenarios:

1. Steelers win and Indianapolis-Houston tie or
2. Steelers win and Buffalo loss or
3. Steelers win and Jacksonville loss/tie or
4. Steelers tie and Colts and Texans do not tie and Jaguars lose or
5. (Even with a Steelers loss) Indianapolis and Houston do not tie, Jacksonville loses and Denver wins

The Ravens (13-3) have secured home field — and a first-round bye — throughout the playoffs and have nothing on the line for Sunday’s game in Baltimore. It’s unclear if the team plans to rest key starters.

The Steelers have opened as 3.5-point favorites.

Pickett has missed the past four games after suffering an ankle injury against Arizona in Week 13. Mitch Trubisky started the next two games, both losses, before Tomlin handed the ball to Rudolph, who is 2-0 as the starter.

Rudolph, 28, has completed 68.5 percent of his passes in his three appearances overall for 567 yards and two touchdowns. He has not thrown an INT.

–Field Level Media

Dec 16, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) runs with the ball against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans (21) in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase, Steelers QB Kenny Pickett ruled out

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Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett have been ruled out of Saturday’s AFC North clash in Pittsburgh.

Chase separated his shoulder in the fourth quarter of Cincinnati’s 27-24 overtime victory against the Minnesota Vikings last Saturday. NFL Network reported Monday that he could end up missing multiple weeks of action for the Bengals (8-6).

“We ultimately made the decision it wasn’t going to happen,” Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said Thursday of playing Chase against the Steelers (7-7).

Chase did not participate in practice on Tuesday or Wednesday. Receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd will be expected to step up in his absence.

Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph took over for Mitchell Trubisky last week and will make his first start since 2021 on Saturday. Trubisky struggled in place of Pickett, who underwent ankle surgery aiming to expedite his recovery from a high ankle sprain sustained against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 3.

“I’ve got a lot of good relationships with the guys in the locker room,” Rudolph said. “I think anytime you’re here as long as I’ve been here, you had better have some or you’re probably not a good dude.

“Guys are excited for me and I’m excited to go out there. As the third-string quarterback, (do) you feel like you are really earning your paycheck week to week? And so, I finally get to earn it this week and put my hand in the pile and go fight for victory together.”

The Bengals are in the thick of the AFC playoff race and are already playing without starting quarterback Joe Burrow, who sustained a season-ending wrist injury in a 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 16. Jake Browning has taken over under center.

Chase, 23, leads the team in catches (93), receiving yards (1,156) and touchdowns (seven) in 14 games this season.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Chase has 261 receptions for 3,657 yards and 29 touchdowns in 43 career games. He was selected by the Bengals with the fifth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft out of LSU.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) grabs his leg after play against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pickett left the game with an injury. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (ankle) to undergo surgery following Sunday injury

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett sustained an ankle injury during Sunday’s 24-10 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals and will undergo surgery on Monday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Pickett is expected to miss multiple games, and could be sidelined up to four weeks, according to the Gazette.

Mitch Trubisky will likely start for the Steelers when they play the New England Patriots on Thursday night.

Trubisky replaced Pickett, who left the game with 5:10 to go in the second quarter after a tackle from behind by Cardinals linebacker Josh Woods. On the third-down play, Pickett dove for the end zone and took a shot to his upper body before hitting the ground.

Pickett, who entered Week 13 questionable with an ankle injury but was able to practice, limped off on his own and went to the blue tent for evaluation before heading to the locker room.

Before the injury, Pickett was 7-for-10 passing for 70 yards.

Trubisky was 11-for-17 passing for 117 yards and one touchdown against the Cardinals. He has passed for 273 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in 49 pass attempts this season.

Before that start of the third quarter, the game went into a delay due to thunderstorms in the area. Fans were told to take cover.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is tended to after taking a hit against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (ribs) set to play Thursday

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Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett practiced fully on Wednesday and does not carry a game status for Thursday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Pickett was listed as limited in the week’s practices prior to Wednesday but said Tuesday he was “playing for sure.”

Pickett left last week’s game against Jacksonville after a hit by Jaguars defensive end Adam Gotsis with 17 seconds left in the first half. Mitch Trubisky replaced him in the second half and threw for 138 yards and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions in the loss.

Steelers defensive back Levi Wallace is listed as questionable to play with a foot injury.

The Steelers ruled out safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) on Monday.

–Field Level Media