He grew up an Eagles fan in Ocean Township, N.J., rooting for the team with his father, Ken, a Philadelphia native who raised his children the right way. The idea that Kenny Pickett could be the starting quarterback for the Eagles on Sunday with the Dallas Cowboys coming to Lincoln Financial Field knowing that a win would mean an NFC East title for the Birds is remarkable for a player in his first season here.
"I've got a lot of family coming. It's a surreal feeling having this opportunity," Pickett said on Thursday at his locker at the NovaCare Complex. "I'm doing everything I can to be prepared and ready for it and I'm excited.
"I'm very excited. It's a big opportunity. I've been working hard to stay ready and I felt like I was in a good position last game with my preparation and now having a week to practice, I'll feel even better going into the stadium. So, I'm excited. I just want to get the win."
With starting quarterback Jalen Hurts in concussion protocol after suffering a concussion in Sunday's game at Washington and not knowing yet what Hurts' status will be for Sunday, Pickett was a full participant in Thursday's practice taking the first-team quarterback reps with Tanner McKee as the backup and newly signed (to the practice squad) Ian Book running the scout team. The Eagles have to be prepared for every possible scenario – including one that has Hurts passing the protocol in time to play on Sunday – and Pickett understands the entire picture.
He prepares every week to be the starter. That's what you do in the NFL. But this week, to date, he's had the benefit of taking far more reps in practice than he normally does.
"It's great to get reps with guys that I really haven't had a chance to play with," said Pickett, who came in on Sunday at Washington in relief of Hurts and completed 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. "Getting the continuity, getting in and out of the huddle, obviously throwing to the receivers is great for me.
"Everyone has been great. You don't get many reps with them so anything we get, we kind of communicate after. At the end of the day, it's about playing ball on Sunday."
"I love Kenny. I love his approach. I love the way he comes to work all year," running back Saquon Barkley said. "Sometimes, being a number two quarterback, you never know when your time's going to be, but you have to be ready and I think he did a really good job coming in the game, making some plays for us. He handled practice great today and obviously, I don't know the exact thing of who it's going to be, but we're ready to go no matter what."
Pickett injured his ribs on Sunday and was limited when the team had its walkthrough on Tuesday, but he said he is full go for Sunday after taking some rest and rehabilitation from the injury. Now, it's just about taking the reps in practice, building chemistry and timing with his receivers and offensive line, and then going out and playing football.
"Timing is huge in the NFL. It all plays into quarterback and receiver play," said Pickett, who started 24 games in Pittsburgh after the Steelers made him a first-round pick (No. 20 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft. "I'll be ready and we'll be ready to play."
The Eagles have always valued the backup quarterback position, and made it a priority to add experience and skill behind Hurts when they sent a 2024 fourth-round draft pick (No. 98 overall) and two seventh-round draft picks in 2025 to the Steelers to acquire Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round draft pick (120th overall) that was flipped to Miami in exchange for a 2025 third-round selection. His playing time has been limited, of course, as Hurts guided the Eagles to a 12-2 record heading into Sunday's game at the Commanders.
Hurts went down in the first quarter and Pickett came right in and completed three straight passes, the last a touchdown toss to wide receiver A.J. Brown, to finish the drive.
Now he's in position to start against Dallas. Whether it happens or not, Pickett will be ready to go.
"I'm just looking to do my part now," he said. "I just want to focus on doing my job each play. That's really my focus right now – being as prepared as possible to help us win this game."
