Instant analysis of Eagles trading NFL draft picks to Steelers for QB Kenny Pickett
The Eagles are all about quarterback development, and with the club looking for efficiency behind Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia has acquired Kenny Pickett from Pittsburgh for draft picks.
The Steelers’ No. 20 overall pick out of Pitt, Pickett now heads to the Eagles, where he’ll backup Jalen Hurts.
With the move set to be official, here’s an instant analysis of the trade.
Compensation
Jalen Hurts isn't bothered
This move will immediately illicit hot takes about a quarterback battle, or this trade will harm Hurts’ psyche. That’s a moot point, and Pickett’s arrival will be a non-factor for QB1.
According to Joel Corry, via Over The Cap, the Eagles’ 10-day window to pick up an option on quarterback Jalen Hurts’ dummy 2029 contract year opens up. The team will make a $38.875 million payment that reduces the star quarterback’s 2024 base salary from a fully guaranteed $40 million to a fully guaranteed $1.125 million with the option being exercised.
Additionally, $16.5 million more of Hurts’ 2025 base salary is fully guaranteed.
His entire $51 million 2025 base salary was guaranteed for injury at signing, while $3.696 million of this $51 million was fully guaranteed at signing, meaning he’s here to stay.
Homecoming of sorts
Pickett is from Ocean Township (N.J.) High School, and backed out of a verbal committment to Temple before heading to Western Pennsylvania. He’ll now return home.
Pickett brings experience
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Tanner McKee had a nice training camp last season and he’s got talent, but if the season started today and Hurts suffered an injury, the signal-caller would have no prior NFL game experience.
That’ll change with Pickett’s arrival.
He’s started 24 games in his first two seasons and the Steelers — going 7-5 under center in both of those years. He’s completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions during his career.
