Philadelphia Eagles' freshly acquired quarterback Kenny Pickett is no stranger to the Linc.
Pickett, a New Jersey native, has been going to Eagles games with his dad, who is a Philly native, since he was just a kid.
"It's pretty unbelievable honestly," Pickett said. "I've been coming to games at the Linc since I was five years old. I have great memories of my dad taking me here. My grandfather, and all my family members coming out to the games and making great memories. I hope that I can help provide great memories for some of the families coming up. It's pretty surreal and a full circle moment for me."
The Eagles acquired Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 120 overall) from the Pittsburgh Steelers over the weekend. In return, they sent Pittsburgh their 2024 third-round compensatory pick (No. 98 overall) and a pair of 2025 seventh-round picks.
Pickett was a former first-round draft pick by the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
After two seasons, Pittsburgh found that the Pitt Panthers product wasn't the future franchise quarterback that they'd hoped he'd be, leaving them to pursue Russell Wilson in NFL free agency -- and Pickett looking for his next move.
"I gave everything I had there and loved all of my teammates and the coaches that I came across," Pickett said. "Some absolute great memories that I'll take forever and lifelong friendships. Just grateful that we had the time together and wish everyone over there nothing but the best."
While the Steelers may not have communicated much to Pickett, he said he's happy with the way he handled things in the end.
"The communication is what it is, it was behind closed doors," he said. "I'm confident in the way that I handled it. I handled it the way I should've handled it. I'm excited to be here. ... I'm right where I'm supposed to be."
Pickett is Ready to Start Fresh in Philly
Now, Pickett will get a fresh start in Philly.
"I just thought it was time," he said. "It just felt like it was time, from things that transpired. I wanted to get a chance to go somewhere else and continue to grow my career. The fact that it's in Philly, the place where I grew up. I fell in love with the game here. With a great coaching staff, great players. I'm looking forward to meeting all these guys in a couple weeks."
It's an interesting time for Pickett, who went from starting for the Steelers to being a backup behind Eagles' starter Jalen Hurts. But he's ready for his new role in the league and to help in any way he can.
"Yeah, just help the team win any way I can. I talked to Jalen, I talked to Tanner in the room. They seem like great guys," Pickett said. "... Just want to be a great addition to the room and help the team out in any way I can."
Pickett didn't get to choose where he was traded, though he repeatedly made it clear that he's happy he landed in the city that hits a lot closer to home and with a staff that shares his core values.
"This is a good reset," he said. "Getting a chance to play on this team in that quarterback room with a couple of great guys. Just helping those guys out any way I can and just being ready when my number is called somewhere down the road. It's a crazy league, crazy business. Just trying to put my best foot forward and be an asset for this team."
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