Former Pittsburgh Steelers and current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett has typically played well in the preseason during his career, but that was definitely not the case on Thursday night.
Pickett started for Jalen Hurts, who did not play in preseason Week 2 against the New England Patriots, and he completed 11-of-13 passes for 67 scoreless yards. He was in the game for five drives that went punt, field goal, punt, turnover on downs, and the half ran out on his fifth.
The former first-round pick was sacked four times, but he wasn't blameless in those sacks, as he displayed poor pocket presence and allowed himself to get swallowed up by New England's defense.
Making matters worse for Pickett, he was outplayed by former seventh-round pick Tanner McKee, who completed 15-of-19 passes for 140 yards and actually managed to lead the Eagles on a touchdown drive.
#Eagles QB Tanner McKee was 15-for-19 for 140 yards tonight and showed some impressive poise on a few throws tonight with traffic around him. Interesting QB2 situation in Philly. pic.twitter.com/ODm2fy2jpN
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 16, 2024
That will only add fuel to the fire of the debate about if McKee, not Pickett, should be QB2 in Philly. You can find plenty of Eagles fans who believe that should be the case.
After the game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni did his best to combat that debate by naming Pickett his No. 2.
Nick Sirianni said Kenny Pickett is the No. 2, Tanner McKee is the No. 3. He made that point clear after the game.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 16, 2024
The Steelers trading Pickett to the Eagles continues to look like a great move for the former and a bad move for the latter. Even if Pickett ends up winning the job, the simple fact that there are questions about who should be No. 2 says it all.
After his lackluster showing in preseason Week 2 and during training camp, Eagles fans are starting to see what Steelers fans had to endure. Fans of both teams were united in roasting Pickett after what he put on tape on Thursday.
If you’re a Pittsburgh Steeler fan and had to spend your last 2 years convincing yourself Kenny Pickett could be a franchise quarterback, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
— Eagles Fan Central (@EagleFanCentral) August 16, 2024
in 24 Kenny Pickett starts, he led the Steelers to more than 20 points just 6 times
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 16, 2024
6 times in 24 starts
yet somehow, the Steelers went 14-10 in those games
Mike Tomlin is a necromancer
#Steelers and #Eagles fans coming together to hate on Kenny Pickett tonight.#HereWeGo #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/Yd8YP7tYGo
— B-Wall (@BWall) August 16, 2024
I can’t believe I let Kenny Pickett convince me he was the second coming last preseason
— Bucco Nutzy (@Nutzypoo_ttv) August 16, 2024
pic.twitter.com/sHuaoPoqUe
Biggest to-do for Howie Roseman:
— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) August 16, 2024
1) Get rid of James Bradberry and his terrible contract.
2) Get Kenny Pickett the hell out of here and make McKee QB2#Eagles
Kenny Pickett in rare form. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/OCzfqGOT8U
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) August 16, 2024
Should be QB2 over Kenny Pickett, who continues to show he has no business playing in NFL games. https://t.co/ROuq6b3nG6
— Jesse Reed (@JesseReed78) August 16, 2024
Kenny Pickett held Matt Canada back
— D (@GunslingerViews) August 16, 2024
Watching Kenny Pickett is something. Steelers fans were in hell
— Isaiah 🪐 (@RatiodByHurts) August 15, 2024