Kenny Pickett has outlined his love for the City of Philadelphia after he was traded to the Cleveland Browns by the Eagles.
Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2021, Pickett joined the Eagles last offseason after Philadelphia sent a fourth-round pick to the former. The 26-year-old spent last season as the Eagles' backup quarterback and saw playing time down the stretch due to injuries to Jalen Hurts.
The 2024 NFL season culminated in the Eagles winning their second Super Bowl title after they bludgeoned the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in New Orleans. However, life in the NFL moves fast.
Just a month after Pickett and the Eagles celebrations, the former Steelers quarterback is on the move again after the Browns sent Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick for Pickett.
Taking to Instagram, Pickett outlined his love for the Eagles organization, calling it a childhood dream to play in front of the Philadelphia fans. "Thank you to all of the great people I had the pleasure of working with in Philly,” Pickett wrote on Instagram.
"In one year, we created lifelong friendships and memories that I will always cherish!! Thank you to the great fans of Philadelphia, my childhood dream came true this season and playing in front of you was an honor!! Excited for this next chapter of my journey!! #DawgPound."
Pickett will now compete for the Browns starting job, which is shrouded in mystery. Deshaun Watson's disastrous time in Cleveland is all but over, with he and Pickett the only quarterbacks on the Browns roster.
And while they could end up drafting a quarterback with the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Pickett believes he has the tools and intangibles to be a starter in the NFL.
Following the trade, Pickett said: "I do view myself as a starter. I'm sure they're going to bring in another veteran and who knows what else, but I'm just excited to be here and compete with whoever.
"All the quarterback rooms I've been in, each room's been really tight. We all pull for each other.
"That's really what it's all about: getting better together and making the team better. So definitely prepare for whatever situation that may present itself."
He added: "I just think it's a great opportunity to go compete again.
"That's really all you can ask for. That's what I was told here, coming in here, having an opportunity to compete again. So I'm very excited for that."
