Would the Eagles consider a trade with the QB-needy Vikings?

Ryan OLeary

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Would the Eagles consider a trade with the QB-needy Vikings? image

The Philadelphia Eagles believe in having a dependable backup quarterback. The team will be honoring one of the most famous backup quarterbacks in NFL history during its Week 1 game against the Atlanta Falcons.

By all accounts, Kenny Pickett is their guy at QB2 this season. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was a fan of Pickett coming out of the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s a former first-round pick who fell out of favor in a painful Pittsburgh Steelers offense. Roseman was able to acquire Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick in March for a 2024 third-rounder and a pair of seventh-rounders in 2025.

The Eagles are in win-now mode. Their need at backup quarterback has been adequately filled. Roseman’s attention is focused elsewhere, like figuring out who the No. 3 wide receiver will be, sorting the James Bradberry situation, or finding depth for the defensive line.

But what if the Minnesota Vikings, a team that always made sense for Pickett’s services, comes calling? 

The Vikings are suddenly back in the market for a quarterback. Star rookie J.J. McCarthy has been diagnosed with a torn right meniscus and underwent season-ending knee surgery. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was competing with Sam Darnold for Minnesota's starting job. Now it’s Darnold’s job by default. 

If the Vikings want to bridge the gap this season, Pickett would be an obvious choice. He’s cheap, still in the middle of his rookie contract, and would bring some moxie and energy to a Minnesota offense that has all the right pieces in place. 

But the offer would have to be really enticing — and the Vikings are just about out of 2025 draft capital. Down to just their first round pick and a pair of fifth-rounders next year, it would take some creative genius for Roseman to pull off the kind of heist it would take to get Pickett from the Eagles.

Obviously, it’s highly unlikely any of this happens. Not only did Roseman like and target Pickett this offseason, but Pickett grew up in Philadelphia. He wants to be here, and he was fine in the preseason game against the Ravens, tossing a touchdown pass to rookie running back Will Shipley.

The Eagles have no problems at the quarterback position right now. The Vikings do, and it would take a pretty wild offer to see Pickett traded for the second time in five months. 

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.