An intra-Pennsylvania trade generated considerable attention, but prior to the Eagles acquiring Kenny Pickett from the Steelers, they had what would have been an interesting reunion in mind.
Joe Flacco has gone from waiting until November to be signed to receiving multiple offers in free agency. Before Flacco committed to the Colts, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan notes the Eagles submitted an offer for him to come back to Philadelphia.
The Eagles will turn to Pickett behind Jalen Hurts, but they were interested in Flacco reprising the backup role he held briefly in 2021. The New Jersey native signed with the Eagles three years ago but never saw any game action. Philly had acquired Gardner Minshew via trade, as Urban Meyer ended the strange run of Minshew receiving first-team reps ahead of Trevor Lawrence‘s rookie year. Weeks later, the Eagles sent Flacco back to the Jets, who had seen Zach Wilson go down with a knee injury.
Flacco, 39, will now replace Minshew as Anthony Richardson‘s Colts backup. Indianapolis landed the 17th-year veteran on a one-year deal with $4.5MM guaranteed. Flacco had wanted to stay with the Browns, expressing his fondness for Cleveland on several occasions during a stunning run to Comeback Player of the Year honors. Despite Flacco piloting a depleted Browns offense to the playoffs, the team eyed Jameis Winston and Jacoby Brissett instead of authorizing a second contract. Winston is now Deshaun Watson‘s backup.
Philly had been on the lookout for a backup quarterback to replace Marcus Mariota, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson indicated, and Pickett will step into that role. The Eagles have the former No. 20 overall pick signed through 2025; he is due guarantees of $1.98MM (2024) and $2.62MM (2025). Reports out of Pittsburgh pointed to Pickett wanting out once he learned Russell Wilson would be given the starting job; the third-year passer will certainly not be a threat to Hurts. Mariota signed with the Commanders early in free agency.
Richardson is recovering from shoulder surgery, but last year’s No. 4 overall pick has resumed throwing. Still, Richardson needed to leave multiple games due to injury last year; he is a raw talent who possesses a dual-threat skillset. After Flacco did not sign with a team until Nov. 20 last year — and that came initially as a Browns practice squad deal — it seems likely he will be needed at some point for the 2024 Colts. If Flacco plays 60% of the Colts’ offensive snaps, he can pocket $1MM, Caplan adds.
What about Pickett playing poorly, getting hurt a lot and then refusing to dress as a backup when he lost out to Rudolph made Philly think this was a good idea?
The Eagles actually care about his development. I’m sure that’s of interest to him.
So, they are going to let him start even when they have a better option?
Because every time that doesn’t happen, he gives up.
That’s literally why he’s an Eagle.
Again, the last team figured Matt Freaking Canada was the best OC to develop this kid, then basically replaced him with an old and washed up QB. What did PIT do during Pickett’s tenure that qualified as actually developing him?
What a ridiculous post. 24 starts in and you believe Canada had full autonomy, that he didn’t have to run things by Tomlin, who by all accounts is a control freak
And you believe that while Canada was in over his head in the job, he and Tomlin didn’t devise a strategy geared to whatever “strengths” Pickett has. Ok. That’s almost unbelievably naive, but do be it. Guess we’ll find out
@tired
No one will find out, because Pickett flat out will never play lol.
QB’s make the OC – not the other way around. No one cared about Bienemy until Mahomes, Canales until Baker and Geno’s big years, Stefanski until Cousins, Callahan until Burrow, and the list goes on and on. But yeah, Canada was the one rolling out into sacks or unable to find the middle of the playing field…
He was in a terrible situation, no OC, no O-line, a #1 receiver who couldn’t be bothered to block someone on a running play. We see it all the time when a QB goes from a terrible situation to a good situation and greatly improves (Steve Young, Alex Smith, Testaverde, Plummer). He’s just the backup, not a bad dart throw, imo.
What about having to run plays directed by arguably the worst offensive coordinator in football for almost 2 years
Pickett was never really given a chance to sharpen his skills while playing under Matt Canada
Pickett is good! Fun to watch! I like the move. Could see him being the starter eventually.
Unless you mean when he appears in The Rock’s new league, that’s hilarious. 24 starts in here in Pittsburgh and the “fun to watch” line is comedic genius
Hahaha 100%
I still can’t believe the Browns passed Flacco up to sign Jameis Winston. Flacco’s not perfect, but he played well for the Browns in 2023 and he’s a guy you can respect and root for, unlike Winston.
agreed. Flacco made Cleveland better. Winston is a slow motion train derailment
What makes it worse that they passed on Flacco, Watson is injury prone and has yet to deliver on his overpaid contract
There’s something afoot in Cleveland, as it makes no sense for BOTH Huntley and Winston to sign there as backups, especially with Dorian Thompson-Robinson still there.
Flacco is MILES better than Pickett.
Flacco also has 15 more years of experience than Pickett
Does anyone proof read their comments before posting them?
Josh Johnson has 10 more years of experience than Mahomes, Allen, and Burrow does that make him better?
I swear… No one proof reads their comments before posting them…