Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Philadelphia Eagles have a long history of valuing their backup quarterbacks, a strategy that has paid off in crucial moments, including their Super Bowl victory with Nick Foles. Over the years, the Eagles have seen the likes of Koy Detmer, A.J. Feeley, Jeff Garcia, and Foles step up when needed, solidifying the importance of a reliable No. 2 quarterback in the team’s roster.
Recently, the Eagles made an unexpected move by acquiring Kenny Pickett from the Pittsburgh Steelers, raising questions about their decision to pass on Justin Fields. The trade for Pickett involved a 2024 third-round pick, two 2025 seventh-round picks, and a 2024 fourth-round pick in return, highlighting the Eagles’ commitment to securing a backup quarterback for the long term.
One of the key factors in the Eagles’ decision to go with Pickett over Fields was the control they would have over Pickett’s contract compared to Fields’ looming fifth-year option. With Jalen Hurts as the franchise quarterback under a five-year extension, the Eagles saw an opportunity to have Pickett as the No. 2 quarterback for two seasons, making financial sense in the long run.
The cost-effective nature of having a backup quarterback under team control for multiple seasons was a driving force behind the Eagles’ acquisition of Pickett, following the successful trade for Gardner Minshew back in 2021. With Pickett’s current contract offering a more favorable cap hit compared to Fields, the Eagles saw an opportunity to strengthen their roster in other areas.
General Manager Howie Roseman’s long-standing interest in Pickett played a significant role in the decision-making process, with the Eagles scouting and evaluating Pickett throughout his senior season and beyond. Despite Hurts’ position as the starter, the Eagles recognized the value in having a quarterback like Pickett who aligns with the team’s offensive system, providing stability and depth at the position.
While the Eagles opted for Pickett, Fields found a potentially more promising opportunity in Pittsburgh, where he has a chance to compete for the starting job and secure a long-term role with the Steelers. With uncertainty surrounding Russell Wilson’s future in Pittsburgh, Fields could potentially establish himself as the next franchise quarterback for the Steelers, a scenario that was not available to him in Philadelphia.