The Las Vegas Raiders traded for Kenny Pickett this week with the hopes he'll be a suitable option at backup quarterback.
He was already traded once this offseason to the Cleveland Browns, and at one time was a frontrunner to become their starting quarterback. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in training camp that held him out of practice for a few weeks. Now he gets another fresh start in the desert.
After Aidan O'Connell suffered an injury in the last preseason game, Pete Carroll said he was looking for "a guy that's had game experience" to back up Geno Smith. Here's a look at what Pickett brings to the Raiders.
Pride of the Panthers
The New Jersey native attended Ocean Township High School, sharing the alma mater with Raiders All-Pro linebacker Phil Villapiano.
Pickett committed to the University of Pittsburgh where he became a four-year starter. He enjoyed a massively successful senior season with the Panthers, leading them to a 11-2 record and an ACC Championship. He led his conference in completion percentage (67.2), completions (334) and touchdown passes (42) in 2021 while winning the ACC Player of the Year, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and being named a Heisman Trophy finalist.
"Kenny had a historic year, not only for Pitt but also for the Atlantic Coast Conference," Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi said at the time. "He represented our university, the city of Pittsburgh and the ACC with the utmost class every step of the way. Kenny is a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award and we are, yet again, tremendously proud of him."
Staying in Pittsburgh
Pickett was the only quarterback selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, staying put in the city he played college ball.
He was named the starting quarterback for the Steelers in Week 5 of his rookie campaign in which he went on to win seven games with 2,404 passing yards and 10 total touchdowns. The following year, he won another seven games as starter. Injuries in his two seasons with the Steelers impacted his play and his time on the field, being relegated to backup quarterback for the team's 2023 AFC Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills.
He finished his tenure with the Steelers with a 14-10 record, 4,474 passing yards and a 13:13 touchdown to interception.
En route to the Super Bowl
Along with Thomas Booker IV, the Raiders' new quarterback was on the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl-winning roster.
Pickett was traded to the cross-state team ahead of the 2024 season and was eventually named Jalen Hurts' backup. The Eagles went 14-3 in the regular season, with Pickett coming out with a win in his lone start with the team. In that Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, he went 10-of-15 for 143 passing yards and two total touchdowns.
He also appeared in two playoff games during the Eagles' run.
Take an exclusive look at photos from Tuesday's practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) and Head Coach Pete Carroll during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) and offensive assistant Sean Binckes during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive assistant/linebackers coach Ty McKenzie and running back Raheem Mostert (31) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) and tackle Charles Grant (60) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (47) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (47) and run game coordinator/defensive line coach Rob Leonard during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive quality control coach Kyle Fuller during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jordan Meredith (61) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
