7:09pm: This is not expected to be the only veteran move the Browns make at quarterback. The team is likely still in the market for a vet to join Pickett, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot tweets. This could drop Pickett to the third-string level quickly, depending on how the Browns proceed in the draft.
4:37pm: Kenny Pickett is headed back to the AFC North. The former Steelers first-rounder spent one season with the Eagles, but he is being traded once again.
Pickett is being dealt to the Browns, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The Eagles will receive fellow quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson as well as a 2025 fifth-round pick from Cleveland.
The Browns are in historically unprecedented shape at quarterback, having Deshaun Watson‘s guarantees still on the books through 2026. Watson has bombed spectacularly in Cleveland, and the Browns just completed another restructure — one that creates 2025 cap space but balloons his 2026 cap number to $81MM and his dead money number (in the event of a release) to $135.4MM. Cost conservation is more necessary for the Browns at QB.
This, of course, will be Pickett’s second time in two offseasons being dealt. The Browns are quite familiar with the 2022 first-round pick, as he was the Steelers’ primary starter for two seasons. The Steelers bailed on Pickett shortly between their Russell Wilson and Justin Fields pickups last year. Pittsburgh’s Pickett trade haul did include a third-round pick coming back, in a deal sending other selections back to Philly, but the Eagles are moving on ahead of the Pitt alum’s contract year.
Pickett, 27 in June, played in five Eagles games last season and started one. A rib issue sidelined the ex-Steeler, giving way to Tanner McKee, who appears set to have a shot to back up Jalen Hurts in 2025. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards in a loss to the Commanders, throwing a costly interception but also leading two fourth-quarter scoring drives. Starting for Hurts the following week, Pickett saw a previous rib issue become too much of a hindrance. He did not play again until mop-up time in the NFC championship and Super Bowl LIX.
With the Steelers, Pickett drew immediate scrutiny as an underwhelming Ben Roethlisberger successor. He managed only seven touchdown passes in 13 games as a rookie and threw just six in 12 sophomore-season contests. While Matt Canada’s offense drew criticism (ahead of an ultra-rare in-season Steelers coach dismissal), Pickett did not inspire confidence after some late-game success down the stretch as a rookie. The Steelers benched him for Mason Rudolph late in the 2023 season and were not exactly pleased with how he handled it. Pickett preferred a scenery change after the Wilson arrival, and the Steelers granted it early during the 2024 offseason.
The Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick and have been linked to quarterbacks, along with Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter (whom Cleveland deems a wide receiver). Pickett would not generate much optimism as the Browns’ bridge, making the prospect of another veteran addition logical before the draft decision. Thompson-Robinson holds a ghastly 1-10 TD-INT ratio, having struggled in five starts. The Browns gave the former UCLA starter a few chances but ultimately did not see much production. The Eagles will take a flier, likely as a third-string option, nonetheless.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Did not see this coming.
Me either lmao
Pick will be a backup, so that means Browns will be getting a vet to start, taking Hunter at #2 & a QB with a later pick.
I think Pick is the veteran… They’ll draft a QB #2 and start Pick.
I’ll split down the middle with you guys
I think this takes them out on Cam Ward at 2
And I think Kenny and DeShaun will battle it out in camp
Huh? Deshawn is out all year
Wasn’t aware of that
Goku the knowledgeable “wasn’t aware of that”
As a Steelers fan, it might be odd to say I like the city of Cleveland and their teams. But all this guy will be is a clipboard holder
And as another Steelers fan, I’m celebrating because this’ll help the Steelers. He’ll have one great game, and probably against the Steelers.
LOL. You’re probably right
Did Pickett whine about not starting over Hurts?
If not, I don’t understand the Eagles downgrading at backup for just a 5th.
PS- We’ve finally arrived at the day when Steelers fans can’t laugh at how badly the Browns have mismanaged their QB situation.
Without knowing everything that goes on, I’d imagine it had something to do with how well Tanner McKee looked (granted, against the Giants) last year when Hurts was injured vs. how well Pickett looked (who, to be fair, was also injured).
That, plus saving $1.5 MM (against the cap) probably made this an easy call. I could honestly see DTR being QB3 going into camp.
Good info.
Not high on Pickett at this point, but he’s definitely better than DTR.
I still might want a better backup for a title defense than any other of above, though.
McKee was Philly’s QB in Week 18 when the Eagles had their playoff position already secured.
Pickett was hurt.
Agree….Writers and Fans seemed to agree McKee looked better than Pickett. The Eagles were just not ready to roll with McKee as QB2 until they saw more last year. So the Eagles traded their QB3 for a 5th and another QB3 and about $1.5m in Cap Space…..of which the Eagles have very little and limited ability to create more.
My guess is because of the Browns cap issues the Eagles agreed to take DTR in exchange for a 5th instead of just taking a 6th or 7th for Pickett.
They can always cut DTR and find a better backup or stick with McKee as their backup
So much for being with his hometown team
Hey at least he won a ring with them lol browns ain’t winning anything anytime soon
Nice to see Cleveland adding a Super Bowl Champion. That should help them reach the AFC championship game at minimum.
Eagles definitely saw Tanner as a better and cheaper option than Pickett so DTR will be QB3. I think the Eagles now have four 5th Round picks so Howie has more chips to trade with.
The Eagles finessed the Browns on this one. Tanner McKee is better than Pickett, makes 2 million less and has 2 years left on a minimum deal. The Eagles get a 5th round pick for shedding 2 million off the cap, and keep the better option for backup WB.
Pickett can teach the Browns the Steelers offensive playbook in two minutes with a crayon.
Amazingly Pickett is less than three years younger than Watson.
I’m good with this, especially since we finally got rid of DTR. One down, one to go.
Finally, the Browns have a Super Bowl champion.
Wilson Pickett wasn’t available.