Kenny Pickett revealed the real reason he signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
Many people who cover the NFL were surprised when Kenny Pickett signed with the Carolina Panthers.
However, this has been in the works for a while. Why? Because Pickett has always been drawn to Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who was at the QBs pro day in 2022.
"One of the guys you really want to be around in this league, this profession," Pickett said of Canales on a recent video call with reporters, via ESPN. "It's a tough business, but great people make it a lot easier.''
Pickett has played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders. He has 4,953 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns and 16 interceptions in his career.
The Eagles won Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickett was on Philadelphia, serving as Jalen Hurts' backup.
"I just really wanted to get in a great system with great people,'' said Pickett. "That's just where I am right now, taking it a day at a time, working really hard this offseason to improve my game in the weight room, on the field.
"This new system is really my main concern right now. I'm really not trying to look too far down the road. I want to be a positive addition to this team and help any way I can.''
Pickett and Panthers starting QB Bryce Young shared the Heisman stage in 2021. Young won the prestigious award, with Pickett coming in third.
"Bryce is a great guy,'' Pickett said. "I respect him and his journey that he's been on. It seems like he's constantly working, constantly trying to improve. So definitely looking forward to working with him.''
Young finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
Pickett will be the Panthers' No. 2 QB behind Young, who enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform.
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