Kenny Pickett soaking up Super Bowl 2025 moment with Eagles
The Eagles are in Kenny Pickett’s blood.
Long before he was their backup quarterback, Pickett grew up as an Eagles fan in Ocean Township, N.J.
And long before he was born, Pickett’s father and grandfather were going to games together at Veterans Stadium.
Pickett’s family will be in the crowd for Sunday’s game, when he is one play away from being on the field in his first season restarting his career after two years as the Steelers starter.
“It’s incredibly special to be here,’’ the 2022 first-round draft pick said. “Words really can’t describe it. My dad passed down Eagles fandom to me and we ended up going to a bunch of games. To see it full circle is pretty awesome.’’
Familiar foes
They don’t play in the same conference, of course, but the Eagles and the Chiefs are familiar foes based on recent scheduling. They have squared off only 11 times in 64 years, but they have faced each other four times in the past four years, counting the Chiefs 38-35 victory over the Eagles in the Super Bowl two years ago.
“What I see on tape is, I see just the detail, they have top-notch players, and so much respect for coach [Andy] Reid and his staff for the detail. I think the detail kind of oozes off the tape with the way they run block, with the way they are always on the same page,’’ Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “I can’t tell you how much respect I have for that. You have to be ready to prepare for everything knowing they have one of the best players of all time on their side with [Patrick] Mahomes and they can do it many different ways.
“I see two teams that are highly detailed and highly skilled who are about to battle each other.’’
From Jets to Supe
Anthony Firkser’s season began in Florham Park and is ending at the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs tight end started the year off on the Jets practice squad after signing with the team in training camp. Firkser played in four games for the Jets, mainly on special teams. The team cut him Oct. 31 and he joined the Chiefs practice squad two days later. He played in three regular-season games with Kansas City but has not appeared in a playoff game.
“It’s been a little bit crazy,” Firkser said. “I kind of started a little late in training camp with the Jets. I’m thankful for that opportunity and I got to work with some of my old Tennessee Titans coaches and work with Aaron Rodgers and Tyler Conklin. It was cool. Unfortunately, I was let go there but had an opportunity here a few days later. I was thankful for that and have been taking advantage of being with this team.”
Firkser is not the only former Jet on the Chiefs practice squad. Jason Brownlee also is with the Chiefs after signing with the team on Jan. 15. He spent the whole regular season on the Jets practice squad.
Firkser and Brownlee have gotten to play with Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes in the same season.
“It’s really cool being able to catch passes from them and practice with them,” Firkser said.
