New Eagles QB Kenny Pickett embracing change: 'I'm going through it right now'

Kenny Pickett has quickly gone from being a first-round pick to a backup quarterback.

It's unlikely the path he imagined he would take since being drafted as the No. 20 overall pick in 2022, but it is one that he is continuing to embrace.

"Change is a great thing," Pickett said via Ben Istvan of The Philadelphia Inquirer. "I'm going through it right now. I was in Pittsburgh for seven years, and now I'm over in Philadelphia. … I think a lot of people probably have some negative views on change, but that's really just your outlook on it. I think if you keep a positive mindset, it'll all work out for the better."

In March, the Eagles traded a third-round pick to the Steelers for Pickett. He requested to be traded after Pittsburgh signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson in free agency.

It is a decision that Pickett has been highly criticized for since he would have been allowed to compete to be the Steelers' starter this season, a chance he won't have in Philadelphia with Jalen Hurts as the clear No. 1 quarterback.

However, the 26-year-old has learned it is best to focus on proving those who support him right rather than his critics wrong.

"The world has enough doubters," Pickett added. "There are plenty of people that are doubting. That's probably the majority of people that are out there in the media, fan bases. But ... coaches, family members, if you turn your mind around and try and prove them right and what they believe in you, you'll be in a more positive mindset."

How Pickett will prove his supporters right on the bench remains up for debate, but all it will take for him to see the field again is an injury to Hurts.

He experienced a similar scenario last season when he suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 13 and never got his job back from quarterback Mason Rudolph.

That isn't to say the same thing will happen this year to benefit him, but the Eagles' late-season collapse (losing six of their final seven games, including the playoffs) will have everyone under a microscope.

Pickett seems willing to wait for that opportunity as he attempts to turn his NFL career back around after throwing just 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 career games.