Former Eagles running back takes unintentional shot at rival no one noticed

Rivalries can be so petty that even the small details can be used to spark them, as can be the case with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.

There has already been trash talk between both teams this offseason, as last month, Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb spoke down on Quinyon Mitchell's "Quintanamo Bay" nickname, which was seen as laughable by the Eagles' fan base. It's a rivalry that has continued to go back and forth, but the offseason trash talk will come to a head in Week 1 of the 2025 season when the two teams face off.

On the docket for the offseason did not include a former Philadelphia Eagles player making a subtle move to replace a player currently on the Cowboys. This move helps erase the memory of this Cowboy which might be a reach, but still something Eagles fans can at least find joy in.

Former Eagle's small move is not making as many waves in the Philadelphia community

This week, OTAs got underway for most of the NFL, which included the Eagles' in-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. One of their new running backs should be familiar to Philadelphia fans, as it was former backup Kenneth Gainwell.

As CBS Sports writer Bryan DeArdo pointed out that Gainwell originally was going to wear the jersey number 21 when he signed with the Steelers in March. That number instead went to wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig. The change of number was simple for Gainwell; a new number became available with the number 14. That was once worn by now-Cowboys receiver George Pickens.

Last month, Dallas made a trade with Pittsburgh to acquire Pickens after he had played for the Steelers for the first three seasons of his career. He wore the number 14 in his time with the Steelers. It now belongs to Gainwell.

Philadelphia selected Gainwell in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and he was primarily the backup. He also had a special connection with the franchise as he is the cousin of Eagles legend Fletcher Cox.

Gainwell rushed for 1,185 yards and 12 touchdowns in four seasons with the Eagles. He was a significant contributing factor during Philadelphia's 2022 Super Bowl run, as he went for 181 yards and one touchdown in three postseason games.

Is it a reach to say that Gainwell took an unintentional shot at Pickens for taking the number 14? Sure. Was Gainwell's primary intention to grab 14, which has been the number he has worn over the last four years? Probably.

Eagles fans have to admit, though, that it is kind of nice to see Gainwell not only get his old number back but also make a move that would make Steelers fans forget about a current Cowboys fan. Philadelphia is about being petty with rivals, so fans should be okay with the move.

Pickens has a chance to make the Steelers regret making the trade by performing well in Dallas. The Eagles will make sure to make that harder on him and support their in-state rivals.