The Philadelphia Eagles are facing a quarterback conundrum that has fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. The Kenny Pickett trade, once seen as a pragmatic move, is rapidly spiraling into a full-blown disaster. With the 2025 NFL season looming, the Eagles find themselves in a precarious position, reevaluating their quarterback depth and contemplating a surprising reunion with the very player they shipped off just months ago. But why on Earth would Philadelphia consider bringing Pickett back? Let’s dive into the chaos and explore the options—or lack thereof—that have led to this mess.
When the Eagles traded Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns in March 2025, it seemed like a win-win. Philadelphia, flush with confidence in starter Jalen Hurts and impressed by the potential of backup Tanner McKee, sent Pickett packing along with a 2024 fourth-round pick for a 2025 fifth-rounder and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Pickett, a former first-round pick who had shown flashes of competence in a Week 17 start against the Dallas Cowboys, was eager to chase a starting role elsewhere. The Eagles, fresh off a Super Bowl LIX victory, didn’t need him clogging up their QB room.
But the trade’s aftermath has been anything but tidy. Thompson-Robinson, expected to compete for the backup spot, has been underwhelming in the 2025 preseason, completing just 52.6% of his passes with a dismal 1 touchdown to 10 interceptions in his NFL career. Meanwhile, Kyle McCord, another quarterback in the Eagles’ mix, hasn’t exactly set the field ablaze either. Posts on X have highlighted the lackluster performances of both, with fans openly questioning their readiness to step up if Hurts goes down.
The plot thickened when Tanner McKee, the Eagles’ promising sixth-round pick from 2023, suffered an injury during the preseason. McKee, who dazzled in limited action last season with a 66.7% completion rate, 323 yards, and 4 touchdowns in just two games, was poised to solidify his role as Hurts’ primary backup. But his current injury has thrown that plan into jeopardy. If McKee isn’t medically cleared for the regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia could be left relying on Thompson-Robinson or McCord—a scenario that sends shivers down the spines of Eagles fans.
Let’s be real: would you trust either of those two to steer the ship if Hurts, heaven forbid, gets sidelined? Thompson-Robinson’s lack of polish and McCord’s inexperience make them risky bets in a high-stakes NFC East showdown. Pickett, for all his flaws, at least has a proven track record against Dallas, having led the Eagles to a 41–7 rout last season with 143 yards and a touchdown through the air, plus a rushing score before exiting with a rib injury.
The idea of bringing Pickett back isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. For one, the Eagles’ coaching staff and front office have always held him in higher regard than the general public. Despite his uneven tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers—where he went 14–10 as a starter but posted a pedestrian 13 touchdowns to 13 interceptions—Philadelphia saw enough potential to trade for him in 2024. His familiarity with Nick Sirianni’s system and his ability to perform under pressure (like that Cowboys game) make him a known quantity, unlike the untested Thompson-Robinson or McCord.
Then there’s the Browns’ side of the equation. Cleveland’s quarterback room is a crowded mess, with Joe Flacco named the Week 1 starter and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel vying for future reps. Pickett, currently nursing a hamstring injury, has been relegated to the sidelines and could be the odd man out. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox and Alex Kay have even suggested that Pickett might request a trade or face a surprise cut, especially since he doesn’t fit neatly into Cleveland’s plans. If the Browns release him, the Eagles could swoop in without needing to trade, as league rules prevent Philadelphia from reacquiring him via trade after dealing him away.
Some have floated Carson Wentz as an alternative, but let’s shut that down quickly. Wentz, a former Eagle whose tenure ended in disappointment, brings nothing to the table that Pickett doesn’t already offer. He’s unfamiliar with the current offensive scheme and hasn’t shown the consistency needed to justify a roster spot. Pickett, at least, has recent experience in Philadelphia’s system and a Super Bowl ring to show for it, even if his role was limited. The Eagles would be wise to steer clear of a Wentz reunion and focus on more practical solutions.General Manager Howie Roseman’s job is to field the best 53-man roster possible, and right now, the quarterback depth chart is a glaring weak spot. The Eagles gambled on Thompson-Robinson being a viable backup, but his preseason struggles have raised doubts. McCord, meanwhile, remains an unproven commodity. With the trade deadline approaching and roster cuts looming, Philadelphia must explore every avenue to bolster their QB room.
Could Pickett be the answer? He’s not a savior, but he’s a safer bet than the alternatives. His 2024 stats with the Eagles—25 of 42 passes for 291 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception—aren’t eye-popping, but they show he can manage a game without imploding. Compare that to Thompson-Robinson’s 880 yards and 10 interceptions in 15 NFL games, and the choice becomes clearer.
Is this all just preseason panic, or a legitimate crisis? The truth likely lies somewhere in between. The Eagles’ Super Bowl pedigree means they can’t afford to take chances with their backup quarterback, especially in a division as brutal as the NFC East. If McKee recovers in time, the Pickett conversation might fizzle out. But if he doesn’t, and Thompson-Robinson or McCord are forced into action, the Eagles could be staring down a nightmare scenario.
For now, the prospect of Pickett returning feels like a fever dream born out of desperation. Yet, as the Browns finalize their roster and Philadelphia assesses its options, the idea is gaining traction. One thing is certain: the Kenny Pickett trade, once hailed as a savvy move, has left the Eagles scrambling for a fix. Whether that fix involves a familiar face or a new plan altogether, only time will tell. But if you’re an Eagles fan, the thought of Thompson-Robinson or McCord taking snaps in Week 1 is enough to keep you up at night.