Howie Stays Busy

Posted: March 15th, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 2 Comments »

Howie Roseman is attacking the offseason the way Jason Kelce attacks a full cup of beer. Apparently suffering through a historic meltdown did not sit well with Roseman. He’s being creative and aggressive as he tries to rebuild the roster from a disappointing season.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1768712389837349363

We knew the Eagles needed a backup QB. There were reports that they made an offer to Joe Flacco, but he signed with the Colts. Roseman could have gone for a veteran like Jimmy Garoppolo or Ryan Tannehill. Both have had success and been effective starters in the past. Instead, Roseman took a chance on a player who was the 20th pick of the 2022 draft.

Let’s talk about why Pickett was available. His first two seasons were disappointing. The question is why things didn’t work out. Some will blame Pickett for simply not playing well. But coaching and a lack of playmakers were real issues. The offensive coordinator was Matt Canada, who was almost universally panned for his scheme and play-calling. The Steelers never had 400 yards of offense in a game under Canada. The week after he was fired, the Steelers put up 421 yards. That isn’t to say that with a different OC Pickett would have been Patrick Mahomes, but he would have been better.

Pittsburgh decided not to give Pickett another year. They signed Russell Wilson. This is where things get a bit complicated. The Steelers are using media contacts to push the narrative that Pickett didn’t handle the Wilson signing well at all. They said Pickett didn’t want to compete for the job so that frustrated them and they decided to trade him. Here is another take on what happened.

I don’t see Pickett as a guy who would walk away from competition. He’s not a 5-star QB who went to USC or Texas and was coddled. Pickett is an overachiever type. Guys like that are usually fine with competition.

Pickett makes sense for the Eagles for a few reasons. First, he’s cheap. The Eagles paid Marcus Mariota $8M last year. Pickett is due $4.6M over the next two years combined. Those savings help you afford a star RB or an upgrade at LB. Pickett is a good athlete with a solid arm. He has done a good job in late-game situations.

The Eagles obviously had good scouting reports on Pickett from his time at Pitt. They see a QB who still has a lot of potential, but was trapped in bad circumstances. In Pittsburgh, everything was a challenge. The Eagles will give him a good OL, dynamic RB and playmaking receivers. This will be a very different situation. There is risk in this move. Pickett has 13 career TDs and 13 career INTs. He’s only had one game with more than 300 passing yards. He’s never been in a playoff game. While the Eagles like his potential, they don’t really know how he would perform.

If Pickett does play well for the Eagles, he could be traded or leave in free agency. The Eagles might be able to get compensation for him. For now, they’ll settle for him being an effective backup if called upon.

The team still likes Tanner McKee, but they also believe backup QB is an important position. Going with McKee apparently would have been too much of a leap of faith since he didn’t get to play as a rookie. The presence of Pickett allows McKee time to develop so that maybe he’ll be ready to take over as the backup in 2026.

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The Eagles patched things up with one of their pass rushers.

Sweat is a player I didn’t want the Eagles to lose. He is a talented pass rusher, with a good combination of size, strength and athleticism. He disappeared down the stretch last year and that can’t be ignored, but I think he’s a guy you want to keep around.

This makes you think that Haason Reddick is almost certain to be dealt. The Eagles signed Bryce Huff and Zach Baun. They also still have Nolan Smith and Brandon Graham.

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In former Eagles OL news…

Good luck to Opeta. He was a UDFA signing who turned into a good backup and effective spot starter for the Eagles. Good luck in Tampa.

Dillard now hits the street. He was an awkward fit for the Titans, who want to run the ball.

I doubt the Eagles bring him back, but it is possible. He can play T or G and does have starting experience.

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2 Comments on “Howie Stays Busy”

  1. 1 The Linc – Kenny Pickett joins troubling list of QBs traded before their third season - Balance Sportscast said at 2:03 PM on March 16th, 2024:

    […] Howie Stays Busy – Iggles BlitzLet’s talk about why Pickett was available. His first two seasons were disappointing. The question is why things didn’t work out. Some will blame Pickett for simply not playing well. But coaching and a lack of playmakers were real issues. The offensive coordinator was Matt Canada, who was almost universally panned for his scheme and play-calling. The Steelers never had 400 yards of offense in a game under Canada. The week after he was fired, the Steelers put up 421 yards. That isn’t to say that with a different OC Pickett would have been Patrick Mahomes, but he would have been better. Pittsburgh decided not to give Pickett another year. They signed Russell Wilson. This is where things get a bit complicated. The Steelers are using media contacts to push the narrative that Pickett didn’t handle the Wilson signing well at all. They said Pickett didn’t want to compete for the job so that frustrated them and they decided to trade him. Here is another take on what happened. “Aditi Kinkhabwala: NOTE: “preferred” is not because Kenny Pickett is running away from competition. He was explicitly told by the Steelers Wilson would start, reneging on the pledge he’d been given that after two years of chaos, he’d finally be put in position to succeed – per sources apprised of convo.” […]

  2. 2 Eagles News: Kenny Pickett joins troubling list of quarterbacks traded before their third season – Bleeding Green Nation – News Release said at 8:51 PM on March 16th, 2024:

    […] Howie Stays Busy – Iggles BlitzLet’s talk about why Pickett was available. His first two seasons were disappointing. The question is why things didn’t work out. Some will blame Pickett for simply not playing well. But coaching and a lack of playmakers were real issues. The offensive coordinator was Matt Canada, who was almost universally panned for his scheme and play-calling. The Steelers never had 400 yards of offense in a game under Canada. The week after he was fired, the Steelers put up 421 yards. That isn’t to say that with a different OC Pickett would have been Patrick Mahomes, but he would have been better. Pittsburgh decided not to give Pickett another year. They signed Russell Wilson. This is where things get a bit complicated. The Steelers are using media contacts to push the narrative that Pickett didn’t handle the Wilson signing well at all. They said Pickett didn’t want to compete for the job so that frustrated them and they decided to trade him. Here is another take on what happened. “Aditi Kinkhabwala: NOTE: “preferred” is not because Kenny Pickett is running away from competition. He was explicitly told by the Steelers Wilson would start, reneging on the pledge he’d been given that after two years of chaos, he’d finally be put in position to succeed – per sources apprised of convo.” […]