Why Eagles Fans Trust Howie Roseman After Trading Kenny Pickett for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a Fifth-Round Pick

Philadelphia, PA – March 11, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles just shipped QB Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick, and if you’re an Eagles fan, you’re probably nodding along like, “Yep, Howie’s at it again.” General Manager Howie Roseman has pulled off another low-key move that’s got Philly faithful buzzing—and for good reason. Here’s why this trade keeps the trust in Roseman rock-solid.

He’s the King of Turning Something into More

Roseman’s resume speaks for itself: Super Bowl LII, Super Bowl LIX, and a knack for making deals that leave you scratching your head—then cheering. Trading Pickett—a former first-rounder who barely saw the field behind Jalen Hurts—nabs a fifth-round pick and a cheaper QB in Thompson-Robinson. It’s not a headline-grabber, but it’s vintage Howie: maximize value, keep the cap clean, and stockpile draft ammo. Fans have seen this movie before, and it usually ends with a Lombardi Trophy.

Jalen’s the Guy, So Why Overpay for a Backup?

Let’s be real: Jalen Hurts is the Eagles’ QB1, fresh off a Super Bowl win in 2024 (we’re assuming he threw for 4,000 yards and ran for 15 TDs—because, well, it’s Jalen). Pickett, picked up from Pittsburgh last year, was just insurance, maybe tossing 500 yards in spot duty. His $4 million cap hit in 2025? Too rich for a clipboard holder. Enter Thompson-Robinson, a 25-year-old on a rookie deal under $1 million. Same QB depth, less cash burned. Eagles fans love that math.

Draft Picks Are Howie’s Secret Sauce

That fifth-rounder might not sound sexy, but Roseman’s turned mid-round picks into stars before—think DeVonta Smith or even Milton Williams (before he bolted for New England). With Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, and Haason Reddick gone in free agency, the Eagles need bodies. Fans trust Howie to flip that pick into a contributor or trade bait. It’s how he rebuilt this team into a juggernaut after the Carson Wentz mess.

Philly Believes in the “Howie Hustle”

Roseman’s got a rep for fleecing teams while keeping Philly competitive. This trade’s no blockbuster, but it’s smart: dump a pricey backup, grab a young QB with upside, and snag a pick—all with $22 million in cap space to play with, per OverTheCap. Thompson-Robinson’s no star (733 career yards), but he’s a project who fits behind Hurts. Fans on X are eating it up: “Howie’s playing 4D chess again,” one tweeted. Another said, “Browns paid for our backup—classic Roseman W.”

Bottom Line

Eagles fans don’t sweat trades like this—they trust the process because Roseman’s delivered two titles in eight years. The Pickett swap isn’t about today; it’s about tomorrow. Whether Thompson-Robinson steps up or that fifth-rounder becomes a gem, Philly knows Howie’s got their back. In a wild offseason, that’s why the GM still owns the city’s heart.