Eagles Gifted Perfect Kenny Pickett Upgrade for Super Bowl Run

The Philadelphia Eagles look like Super Bowl contenders through the NFL season's first 11 weeks and a lot of that has to do with Jalen Hurts' performance under center.

After all, Hurts has been playing at an MVP-like level this year (+1700, 5th on FanDuel Sportsbook). The ex-Oklahoma signal-caller has completed a career-high 69.2% of passes through 10 sarts for 2,197 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 101.8 passer rate — another personal-best statistic. That's without mentioning his gifted mobility, which has resulted in 417 rushing yards and a whopping 11 TDs on 103 carries.

With Hurts being the cause behind most of the Eagles' success, it's clear that the team would be lost if he gets hurt down the stretch. Kenny Pickett is far from the most reliable backup QB and being forced to start him may end the franchise's Super Bowl aspirations.

Fortunately, the perfect Pickett upgrade just became available.

Eagles News: Giants Release QB Daniel Jones

In the latest NFC East news, New York Giants president John Mara announced that the franchise has released QB Daniel Jones, per NFL insider Adam Schefter. The news comes a few days after ESPN reported that the Giants had benched the former 2019 sixth-overall pick, leading to the mutual release.

"Daniel came to see me (Friday) morning and asked if we would release him," Mara said. "We mutually agreed that would be best for him and for the team... We wish him nothing but the best in the future."

Expectations were high for Jones the second that the Giants made him their franchise QB five years ago. Even though he's struggled to live up to the hype at times, a lot of that has to do with the poorly constructed offenses that New York surrounded him with.

It wouldn't be shocking if the 27-year-old passer found more success with a better team, such as the Eagles.

Even though Pickett is still young (26), it isn't unfathomable to imagine that head coach Nick Sirianni might not have full confidence in his backup gunslinger. The Oakhurst, NJ native struggled in his brief time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing to a 14-10 record, 62.6% completion rate, 4,474 passing yards, and 13 TDs with as many INTs in 25 appearances.

Jones hasn't been perfect either, however, he provides a clear upgrade over Pickett. The former Duke product may not have a winning record (22-44-1 in 70 games), but he has accumulated over 14,500 passing yards with 70 TDs (to 47 INTs) across his six-season career.

What also could make Jones attractive to the Eagles is his mobility. Although he isn't nearly as productive as Hurts on the ground, Jones has still rushed for 2,179 yards and 15 touchdowns on 399 career carries. It isn't hard to see how he would be a more natural fit as Hurts' replacement than Pickett.

With Jones' release coming this late in the season, the Eagles likely won't have to break the bank to add him — especially since the majority of his $160 million contract was guaranteed, per Over the Cap.

At the end of the day, signing Jones gives the Eagles some security under center that Pickett can't provide. Besides, it would allow them to stick it to the Giants, showing that they know how to get the most out of the dual-threat QB.

Philadelphia will also play its regular-season finale against New York at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 5. If the Eagles have their playoff spot locked up by then and decide to rest Hurts, it's possible that Jones could start against the Giants and have a shot at revenge for benching him.

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