Eagles QB Kenny Pickett (Post-Game Transcript)
On the touchdown pass to Eagles WR DeVonta Smith:
“Yeah, they had zero. He had a corner route. I just felt like I needed to buy a little bit of time to let him get his release and then put it up for him. Great route by him, got his feet in. So, it was a really good, really well executed play.”
On his mindset on the pass to Eagles TE Grant Calcaterra:
“I got away from pressure and the scramble drill. I saw him wheel up the field, I just put it up for him, and he made a [heck] of a play. [Eagles TE] Grant [Calcaterra] is a phenomenal player. Doesn’t get enough love, I feel like on this team, because there’s so much talent. But I’ve been with him since I got here. We got a lot of reps together early on. He’s a special, special player, a great person. So, I’m really happy for him.”
On if it is bittersweet he had to leave the game early:
“Yeah, of course you want to finish it out. But I left it all out there. I did everything I could to play today, stay in there as long as I could. I have no regrets or anything, leaving the stadium, we got the win. That’s all that matters. So, it was a special day for everyone in there.”
On how he is feeling health-wise:
“I’m good. I’m good. I’ll be alright. Came in with a little bit of an injury and we’ll do some more tests and everything, see how it looks. But I’ll be okay.”
On the hit to his ribs the first time:
“The sneaks were a little tough early on. All the bodies lying on top of you, and then those couple hits afterwards, tough. But it’s part of the game. We love the game. Do anything to win.”
On the tush push and having to fight to score:
“You have to score. The only thing going through my head was getting in the end zone and holding on to the ball. So that’s a huge credit to the guys up front. They obviously have the hardest job, getting me in the end zone there. I love playing with our offensive line. Great guys, obviously, incredibly talented, a really great group to play with.”
On being a part of the Eagles winning the NFC East:
“It’s special. It’s special, man. And I sit out there on the field, I’m sure there’s a kid dreaming about playing for the Eagles and doing things that we went out there and did today. It’s incredibly special. I had a lot of family here, my dad especially, he’s the one who took me to all the games, and we have great memories together. Watching [former Eagles QB Donovan] McNabb and [former Eagles RB Brian] Westbrook, back when I was really young. It’s pretty cool.”
On if he was able to talk to his dad:
“Not yet, when I get home, it’ll be pretty special.”
On if he felt like he had something to prove today:
“I just wanted to come in and do my part, man. I said to the quarterbacks on our way out in the tunnel before warm-ups, just win at all costs. That’s it. That’s all I care about. All I wanted to accomplish today was to get the win, for the team, for the city. Keep the momentum going that we’ve had, a really good season so far. I wanted to keep that going. I just wanted to do my part.”
On what he thought of Eagles QB Tanner McKee’s performance:
“That was awesome. I’m so happy for [Eagles QB] Tanner [McKee]. He’s a great guy. Being in the quarterback room, you spend so much time together. We watched a lot of tape together on the opponent for whatever week it is. In the meetings, and on the field, and in the weight room. So happy for him, and he does everything right. A special day for everybody in that locker room.”
On if he had to tell Eagles QB Tanner McKee that it isn’t this easy:
“He was prepared. We go through all of our checks together, and anything that we could see out there. Him and [Eagles QB] Ian [Book] were great when I came off the field on the sideline, relaying and communicating what they were seeing and what to expect for the next drive. Really grateful for those guys.”
On what he saw on the drive with key third downs and the long throw to Eagles TE Grant Calcaterra for 30-plus yards and then with Eagles WR DeVonta Smith on the touchdown on third down:
“Yeah, the scramble drill to [TE] Grant [Calcaterra] was great. He did a good job of seeing, when he saw me escape the pocket, of wheeling up the field. Then I just wanted to give him a chance to make a play. And he made a [heck] of a play. And then [WR DeVonta Smith], on the third down, we got zero, it’s a great look for that play. We went in the right protection. I just had to buy a little bit of time in the pocket and let him work his release, and then just put it up for him. And he got his feet in and did the rest. So, two great plays for us.”
On whether he was feeling the ribs when he went in after he had to run the tush push twice:
“Yeah, yeah, I was feeling a little bit then. Obviously, the hits just stack [up], you know, and it makes it tough. But good news, get some rest, get some recovery, and get ready for the playoffs.”
On Eagles RB Saquon Barkley’s day, the season he’s having, and going over 2,000 yards rushing today:
“Special guy, man. One of the best ever. Best I’ve ever been around. But just speaking on more of the kind of guy he is, the person, get a chance to, you know, play golf with him, just hang out and continue to grow our friendship. Can’t say enough great things about him. He deserves every bit of what he’s getting. He’s worked for it. Put the time in, put the hours in. So really happy for him.”
On the first time he played golf with him:
“Early in the spring. And he gave me a lot of tips to help me out. I was in rough shape when I started this spring, so he helped me get a lot better.”
On what a round of golf is like with Eagles RB Saquon Barkley:
“It’s fun, man. A bunch of the guys, we all go, it’s great. You put your phone down for three, four hours, you just get to hang out and talk about life and all the things that we got going on. So, it’s very much a college team feel here. Everyone cares about each other. And when the ball gets spotted, we’re going to leave it all out there, you know, put it on the line for each other. So that’s incredibly special. It’s not like that everywhere. So extremely, extremely grateful to be here.”
On how he feels he was able to grow from his performance last week compared to today:
“Yeah, just finding completions. We started slow. We tried to establish the run game a little bit. We knew once we got one first down that we’re going to get into a flow and utilize some tempo. And I think we’re a tough team to stop, but wanted to stay diligent and disciplined through my reads and progressions of each play; play each play as its own. That’s really where my mind was at, just executing the play at hand and then moving on.”
On whether he has learned anything about himself going from backup quarterback to stepping in these last two weeks:
“Yeah, I think that’s adversity. Everyone in life has adversity. You have to continue to battle through. I’ve always leaned on the people around me. I have a great support system, my wife, my parents, all my family members, I have unbelievable friends. They always have my back and they’re always pushing me. And coming to a team like this was awesome. Like I said, it very much reminds me of a college feel, how much each guy cares for each other. We’re all pulling for each other, and we all leave it all out there and that’s all you can ask for. And then you add the talent and that’s what makes it a really special group. So, it’s been great. It’s been a lot of fun to be here. Don’t want the ride to end so we’re going to keep working.”