The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to take on the Buffalo Bills in their second preseason game this weekend, with
Russell Wilson running the show as the starter. Before they play, though, the first wave of second preseason games
began,starting with the Philadelphia Eagles, who were led by Kenny Pickett.
Pickett’s performance was not one filled with inaccuracies or bad decisions. He
finished the game completing 11 of 13 passes, but only threw for 67 yards, with
an average of 5.2 yards per pass. He was also sacked four times during the four drives.
The Eagles finished the first half with three points, trailing the New England Patriots 10-3.
In the second half, third-string passer Tanner McKee stepped in and completed 15 of 19 passes for 140 yards. With their third-string unit in, Philadelphia climbed
back from their halftime deficit, winning 14-13, following a two-point conversion by McKee.
After the game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni explained that Pickett remains the team’s second-string quarterback despite McKee’s strong performance.
You saw where they went in today,” Sirianni said after the game. “Kenny is the No. 2 and Tanner is our No. 3, and I’m really happy they’re both on the roster.”
The Eagles have one more preseason game to go, and while Pickett has not
struggled to this point, his short throws are catching the attention of fans and
analysts. Meanwhile, McKee is making a case for a promotion.
The Steelers traded Pickett for a third-round pick this offseason, replacing him
with Justin Fields in a trade with the Chicago Bears. Pittsburgh is trying to
decide their own quarterback situation, evaluating Fields and Russell Wilson with two preseason games left.
