QB coach addresses 'narratives' regarding Eagles' Kenny Pickett

During a conversation with Cayden Steele of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, private quarterbacks coach Tony Racioppi addressed certain things said about current Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett from the 2023 season through this past spring.

"I would say the majority of those narratives were pushed by people," Racioppi said while speaking about Pickett. "And they are 100 percent BS. ...I would put his leadership ability against anybody out there."

After Pickett lost the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting job late last season to injury and backup Mason Rudolph, it was reported that the 2022 first-round draft pick didn't dress as the emergency third quarterback for Pittsburgh's Week 17 game against the Seattle Seahawks because he "was very unhappy" he wasn't starting. 

Pickett later denied that story but didn't take another meaningful snap before the Steelers signed veteran Russell Wilson to a team-friendly contract in March.

It was subsequently reported that Pickett handled Wilson's arrival poorly and ultimately decided he "preferred to move on" from Pittsburgh. Pickett is now on track to serve as a QB2 behind Philadelphia starter Jalen Hurts.

"(Kenny and I) both know, especially with the quarterbacks now in the NFL, there’s a long road if you do it right," Racioppi continued. "The days of being 28 years old and out of the league are over. There are guys playing — we see it now — like (in their) late 30s, early 40s. If you get a second opportunity and take advantage of it, you can turn (that) into another ten years, eight years, whatever it’s going to be."

Plenty of uncertainty hovers over the Eagles following their collapse across the second half of the 2023 season. Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni may find himself working to save his job this fall. Some think the Eagles could explore moving on from Hurts as soon as next offseason depending on how the team plays from Week 1 through at least January 2025.

In short, a door could open for Pickett in Philadelphia sooner than some may realize.

"He has it physically," Racioppi added about Pickett. "He has it mentally. He’s tough. He’s smart. There’s this work ethic to him. He has the talent and abilities. He has what you want. So much of that league is (the) right place, right time (and) wrong place, wrong time. There’s so many cases that point to that."

Whether or not Pickett is in the right place for more than a short time shall be seen.