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Kenny Pickett praises Caleb Williams after Eagles’ 24–15 loss, sparks controversy with postgame gesture

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – November 28, 2025

The Eagles’ disappointing 24–15 loss to the Chicago Bears on Black Friday was already difficult to swallow for fans at Lincoln Financial Field. But what truly pushed emotions over the edge was something that happened after the final whistle — when backup quarterback Kenny Pickett walked straight toward Bears rookie Caleb Williams, offered a warm handshake, and delivered what many saw as excessive praise for the opposing quarterback.

Pickett, who remained on the sideline throughout the game, was captured on video exchanging words with Williams in what appeared to be a highly complimentary moment. While the cameras didn’t catch the full exchange, Pickett later confirmed his admiration for the No. 1 overall pick in the locker room.
Bears' Caleb Williams records first TD catch | Fox News

“He’s special, man. The poise, the vision — you don’t see that often in a rookie,” Pickett said. “Caleb made plays when it mattered, extended drives, and took control of the game. You can see why they believe in him. He’s got that ‘it’ factor.”

The timing of Pickett’s comments — on a night when Eagles fans were already chanting “Fire Kevin!” in frustration at offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo — only intensified the reaction. For many in Philly, his postgame gesture and praise felt tone-deaf, especially considering the team’s second straight loss and offensive struggles.

“You don’t heap compliments on the guy who just embarrassed your team,” one longtime season-ticket holder posted on X. “Where’s the fire? Where’s the pride?”

Although Pickett's words were likely meant as professional respect, the moment quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons. Analysts debated the optics, with some defending the handshake as a show of class, while others argued it revealed a troubling lack of urgency or unity from within the Eagles’ locker room.

For a fanbase known for its passion and no-nonsense attitude, Pickett’s tribute to Williams may not be easily forgiven — not because of what he said, but because of when he said it.

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No flashy plays. No touchdowns. No viral highlights. Yet for 16 years, Mason Crosby was Green Bay’s clutch hero — and his legacy speaks far louder than any statistic ever could.
When people talk about the Green Bay Packers, the conversation usually begins with Brett Favre’s fearless throws, Aaron Rodgers’ impossible arm talent, or Davante Adams’ gravity-defying catches. But behind every era, quietly anchoring the team in its most pivotal moments, stood Mason Crosby — the steady, unfazed kicker who delivered when the season hung by a thread. Crosby was never the kind of player who dominated highlight reels. He didn’t celebrate with swagger, didn’t create viral moments, and didn’t need the spotlight. What he brought instead was something significantly rarer: absolute trust in the most pressure-filled moments the game could offer. Across nearly two decades, Crosby made 395 field goals and scored 1,918 points, becoming the Packers’ all-time leading scorer. But even those numbers fail to capture the essence of his impact. His true legacy lies in the moments that defined entire seasons — the final drives, the impossible kicks in frigid January weather, the do-or-die situations where confidence from 70,000 fans rested squarely on his right foot. One of the most iconic examples came in the Divisional Round against the Dallas Cowboys in January 2016. Lambeau’s hopes, the Packers’ season, and playoff destiny all came down to Crosby. In under a minute, he drilled not one but two field goals from beyond 50 yards — each one colder than ice, each one lifting Green Bay toward another chapter of postseason glory. Those weren’t just kicks; they were testaments to a career built on composure. For Packers fans, Crosby wasn’t just a kicker — he was a symbol of stability. Year after year, through coaching changes, quarterback transitions, and roster overhauls, Crosby remained the constant. The trusted one. The calm one. The heartbeat of Green Bay’s special teams. He didn’t chase grandeur. He didn’t need applause.He built his legacy by being dependable — the kind of dependable that every franchise wants but few are lucky enough to experience for 16 seasons. So when his time in Green Bay came to an end, fans weren’t simply saying goodbye to a player. They were saying goodbye to an era. The tributes, the messages of gratitude, the emotional posts online — they weren’t about numbers. They were about everything he represented: resilience, loyalty, class, and an unwavering commitment to his team. Mason Crosby’s legacy will never be measured by stats alone. It will be remembered by a feeling — the feeling Packers fans had every time the game tightened, the clock dwindled, and Crosby jogged onto the field: Calm. Confidence. And the belief that Green Bay was about to win.