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Few teams prioritize the backup quarterback position more than the Philadelphia Eagles, a franchise that ended up winning their only Super Bowl thanks to the performance of their No. 2 quarterback.
Even prior to Nick Foles winning Super Bowl LII MVP honors in the 2017 season, the Eagles had a backup quarterback keep a season alive over the last 25 years. Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley held down the fort during Donovan McNabb’s injury in 2002, Jeff Garcia led Philadelphia to the playoffs when McNabb was lost for the season in 2006, and Foles took the Eagles to the division title replacing Michael Vick in 2013.
The No. 2 quarterback is vital for Philadelphia, which is why it wasn’t surprising to see the Eagles acquire Kenny Pickett from the Pittsburgh Steelers Friday. What was surprising is what the Eagles traded to acquire Pickett when Justin Fields was traded to the Steelers a day later for less draft compensation (the Eagles were reportedly trying to trade for Fields).
Should the Eagles have waited for Fields and made him their No. 2, or did they make the right move and acquire Pickett for the price they paid? There were some good reasons for the Eagles to acquire Pickett and pass on Fields.
The cost was for more team control
The Eagles are getting two seasons of Pickett compared to one season of Fields, ignoring the fifth-year option that will come into play for the former first-round picks. Fields was a first-round pick in 2021, so the Eagles would have had to make a decision on his fifth-year option for 2025 by May 2.
Philadelphia also has Jalen Hurts in the first year of a five-year extension this year, and Hurts has a cap number of $21.8 million in 2025. The cost of Fields’ fifth-year option in 2025 would be $25.7 million, which the Eagles would easily decline since they are paying Hurts to be their franchise quarterback.
Basically the Eagles would have Fields for one…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/kenny-pickett-trade-why-eagles-gave-up-more-for-former-steelers-qb-instead-of-trading-for-justin-fields/
Author : Jeff Kerr
Publish date : 2024-03-17 20:48:53
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