When it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles, the most popular player on the roster is usually the backup quarterback… unless that player is Kenny Pickett.
Initially acquired from the Steelers earlier this summer in the rare cross-state pick for pick+player swap, Pickett seemed like the sort of player who could thrive in Philadelphia, a local kid with connections to the team dating back to his childhood fandom but alas, as their keystone state rivals learned all too well, the pride of Pitt has some quirks that are maddening.
Case and point: Pickett's seeming unwillingness to take shots down the field, as through his first two games under center for the Eagles, the 26-year-old from New Jersey has only averaged 4.6 yards per throw and has yet to surpass 100 yards in a game despite throwing the ball an average of 17.5 times per game.
What gives? Is Pickett just a checkdown artist, a suggestion to fans since his debut against the Ravens? Or were there mitigating circumstances that left Pickett unable to get the ball down the field? Asked this question after the Eagles game by reporters, Pickett let it be known that he simply took what was given to him, with the Ravens and Patriots looking to limit down-the-field shots with their defensive looks.
