CHARLOTTE — The Panthers are bringing Kenny Pickett back to the East Coast. According to reports, Carolina has agreed to terms with the former Pittsburgh quarterback. Pickett spent 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders.
General manager Dan Morgan expressed interest earlier this offseason in adding some youth at the backup QB spot, providing competition for Andy Dalton and the chance to develop a younger passer behind Bryce Young. While Pickett has played for four teams in his NFL career thus far, he is still relatively young at 27 years old.
Get to know more about the passer in these fast five facts.
Bookended storied career in college
Pickett started and finished his college career in two games that helped define his storied career with the Pittsburgh Panthers (and everything in between was pretty good, too).
While he spent most of his freshman season as a backup, Pitt started Pickett in the season finale, a showdown against the then-No. 2 and undefeated Miami Hurricanes. Pickett went 18-of-29 for 193 yards and a touchdown through the air, while adding 60 yards and two more scores on the ground.
"You think you can do something and you see it in your head over and over again and the next thing you know, it'shappening before your eyes," Pickett told reporters at the time. "That wasn't the first time for me, but this was the biggest stage for me."
In the next few years, he'd play on even bigger stages.
After the NCAA granted an extra season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pickett elected to return to Pitt for one more season. It paid off, with the sixth-highest passing total in the FBS that year (4,319) along with 42 touchdowns to only seven interceptions.
He set multiple records at Pitt, was named the ACC player of the year, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner, and a Heisman Trophy finalist. He came in third in voting behind Aidan Hutchinson and that season's winner (drumroll), Bryce Young.
Former first-round pick
After a stellar college career, Pickett went in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. He was able to stay in Pittsburgh, even playing in the same stadium, after the Steelers took him 20th overall. He spent two years in Pittsburgh, going 14-10 as a starter while throwing for over 2,000 yards each year.
After the Steelers signed Russell Wilson, Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Won a Super Bowl
While Pickett spent only one season with the Eagles, he earned a Super Bowl ring. The QB backed up Jalen Hurts for the 2024 season, appearing in five games, four of which were in relief of Hurts. His one start came in a Week 17 divisional matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite leaving the game in the third quarter with a rib injury, Pickett finished 10-of-15 for 143 passing yards and a touchdown through the air, plus a rushing touchdown in the win.
The Eagles won the Super Bowl that season, a game in which Pickett was able to finish at quarterback.
Has won in Bank of America Stadium before
This won't be the first time Kenny Pickett has made memories in Bank of America Stadium. After leading Pittsburgh to an 11-2 record in his senior season, the Panthers played in the ACC Championship game in Charlotte. He went 20-of-33 for 253 yards and two touchdowns passing, with six rushes for 20 yards and another score on the ground as Pittsburgh won 45-21.
The game featured a running play from Pickett that eventually led to a change in the NCAA rulebook, adjudicating a quarterback's slide.
Reuniting with Pat Jones
Signing with the Carolina Panthers means Pickett will be reuniting with his Pittsburgh Panthers teammate, Patrick Jones II. The two spent four years together at college, even partnering up for events.
Jones was signed as a free agent with the Panthers last offseason. His season was cut short by a back injury, but in his four games, Jones accumulated 1.0 sack, nine tackles, and one pass defensed.
Take a look at some of the best shots of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.
The Carolina Panthers take on the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 12, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 12, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Laura Wolff/Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers face the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
The Carolina Panthers face the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
The Carolina Panthers face the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.
The Carolina Panthers face the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.
The Carolina Panthers face the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.
The Carolina Panthers face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers take on the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 9, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The Carolina Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The Carolina Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The Carolina Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The Carolina Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The Carolina Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in New Orleans, LA.
The Carolina Panthers face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in New Orleans, LA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers take on the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
