The biggest decision the Eagles will make this offseason is upgrading Jalen Hurts’ backup. Sorry, Kenny Pickett.
The Eagles value their backup quarterback position perhaps more than most teams around the NFL—and can you blame them?
Philadelphia won its first Super Bowl in 2017 with backup Nick Foles, whose heroic Super Bowl LII MVP performance outdueled Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Foles was thrust into the QB1 role after Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending injury in Los Angeles against the Rams as the Eagles clinched the NFC East. It felt like the season was over.
Who knew?
That experience taught the Eagles a valuable lesson: They can never have too many talented quarterbacks on the roster, no matter how it may be perceived internally and externally.
Fast forward to 2020—Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman shocked everyone, including Wentz, when he drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round—shortly after giving Wentz a mega contract extension.
At the time, Roseman called the Eagles a “quarterback factory.” While he has backed off that bold claim, the team’s philosophy hasn’t changed: prioritizing quality depth in case of an emergency—aka, insurance.
Everyone Hates Insurance Until They Need It
If Hurts, the Super Bowl MVP, gets hurt, then what?
As likable as Kenny Pickett is, and despite his inspiring journey from Eagles fan to backup quarterback, the team needs a stronger insurance policy.
Finding a more reliable backup QB could very well be the biggest need the Eagles have this offseason, yet nobody is talking about it.
The Pickett Situation
It’s easier said than done. Pickett has a cost-effective salary for 2025, with a base salary of $2,623,350, which is a bargain for a backup QB. He looked okay when Hurts went down in Washington with a concussion after being hit by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu.
Pickett started the following week against the Cowboys but was replaced by third-string quarterback Tanner McKee after taking a few hits and suffering a rib injury.
Hurts missed nearly three games before returning for the Eagles’ Super Bowl playoff run.
Pickett didn’t exactly have a “wow” factor. He appeared in five games, started one, and completed 25 of 42 pass attempts for a 59.5% completion rate, totaling 291 passing yards and averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. He recorded two touchdown passes, one interception, and finished the season with a passer rating of 86.5. On the ground, Pickett had nine rushing attempts for 15 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Pickett is a competitor and admitted he was “pissed off” that he couldn’t pull out a win filling in for Hurts. However, he also pointed out the challenge of being effective when he doesn’t get first-team reps in practice each week.
Fair point. But the reality is that the Eagles need a stronger backup.
Despite his modest numbers, Pickett had personal milestone moments as a lifelong Eagles fan. He was under center when the Eagles clinched a Super Bowl trip in the final minutes against Washington and again when they sealed their second Super Bowl win over the Chiefs.
The Tough Question
The real question needs to be asked: If Hurts went down, could Pickett have led the Eagles to the Super Bowl and won?
Despite being a first-round pick by the Steelers in 2022, Pickett hasn’t looked like a first-round talent.
“I think that obviously it’s disappointing that Kenny didn’t work out to be our long-term quarterback here,” Steelers president Art Rooney II told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh in January. “I’m not sure there’s a lot to be learned from that. We just have to look at the next opportunity and make sure we do a good job evaluating it.”
Exploring the Market
So what are the Eagles’ potential options?
The 2025 NFL free agent quarterback market features a mix of veterans and younger passers looking for new opportunities. The Eagles will likely have to allocate more money to the position compared to Pickett’s 2025 salary.
Notable big names include Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers—both seasoned quarterbacks with Hall of Fame credentials. Younger options like Justin Fields, Mac Jones, and Trey Lance offer potential for teams seeking long-term solutions.
What about Daniel Jones and Cooper Rush? Both have experience starting in the NFC East and could be upgrades over Pickett.
Meanwhile, experienced journeymen such as Sam Darnold, Jameis Winston, and Carson Wentz provide depth and starting experience.
I see no scenario in which Wentz returns—I mean, why go there for any party involved?
While Rodgers and Russell are looking to start, as the quarterback market develops and dominoes begin to fall, what if the Eagles can scoop up a quarterback who is capable of starting but just hasn’t found the right fit? What if Rodgers or Wilson can’t land a starting job and want to be part of another Super Bowl run in Philadelphia?
If free agency doesn’t pan out, there’s always the draft.
It could be a stretch on many levels, but one name that could be available at the end of the first round when the Eagles pick 32nd overall is Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who received rave reviews at the NFL Combine.
Dart, who led the SEC with 4,729 passing yards and threw 29 touchdown passes while leading Ole Miss to a 10-3 record, is considered the third-best passer in the 2025 draft.
What if, like Hurts in 2020, Dart slips, and the Eagles are on the clock?
Ironically, Dart said at the combine that he models his game after Hurts. A similar-style QB running the Eagles’ offense in the event that Hurts goes down? Not the worst idea.
If available, will Roseman and the Eagles be bold enough to pull the trigger? It could be hard to pass up as they look to keep their Super Bowl window open.
Of course, a bold move like that will come will scrutiny and could potentially cause unneeded drama.
The good news for the Eagles is: If they move on from Pickett, they can do so with zero financial harm. Pickett carries a $0 dead cap hit if traded before June 1st and a $0 dead cap hit if released after June 1st.