Despite signing him to a deal this offseason, the Cleveland Browns could trade quarterback Kenny Pickett before the 2025 campaign. According to a report, many believe the Browns will move on from the former Steeler in another trade, even though NFL Training Camp is just around the corner. Cleveland has a ton of competition at the signal-caller position between Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. This means that at least four quarterbacks will likely be cut before the campaign begins, but it doesn’t provide much stability for Pickett, who joined the team before Gabriel and Sanders.
However, it wouldn’t make sense, since most of the future has been surrounding Gabriel and Sanders, who will likely receive most of the attention, as the Browns are nowhere near a contender. This doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with Pickett; it’s more a “wrong time” situation for him. Originally selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the former Pittsburgh product was hoping to become the long-term starter for the Steelers before losing that spot due to the competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields last year. Pickett served as a backup for Jalen Hurts during the Super Bowl this past month and entered the game to close it out to win the entire matchup.
Pickett was sent to the Browns not too long after, but he could be on the way again to these three teams.
Breaking: Rebuilding Browns May Trade Super Bowl Champion Kenny Pickett
Best Fits
New Orleans Saints
Between Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler, the New Orleans Saints aren’t without an adequate quarterback to start this upcoming season. After losing Derek Carr to retirement, the team might find itself out of playoff contention already under the first-year tenure of head coach Kellen Moore. This doesn’t mean they shouldn’t add another quarterback, and someone like Pickett has the mindset and experience to probably earn the starting role while Rattler and Shough develop.
The Saints won’t be postseason contenders, but it adds a ton of stability, and Pickett could earn the spotlight in New Orleans as the difference-maker. Maybe he can be the mentor and leader in the locker room for the Saints for a couple of years and lead that path down to either Shough or Rattler. He doesn’t need to be the perfect signal-caller, but enough to put the Saints in a good spot every week to win football games.
Carolina Panthers
Meanwhile, after a disastrous 2024 campaign, the Carolina Panthers finally have hope in quarterback Bryce Young. However, this does not mean head coach Dave Canales won’t bench Young again if he has to. He’s in a good spot as they drafted guys like Tetairoa McMillian to salvage the passing game. This means Young has a lot of talent among Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette to throw to. Despite that, if Young can’t live up to expectations, they can trade for Pickett to provide them long-term relief as the lead signal-caller while veteran Andy Dalton remains as a bridge quarterback.
Dallas Cowboys
Even though the Cowboys got former Patriot draft pick quarterback Joe Milton, it doesn’t mean they can’t get another signal-caller. Unfortunately, Dak Prescott is running out of time in Dallas, and he isn’t getting much younger. Pickett could be a safe veteran option similar to what Cooper Rush was before leaving for Baltimore.
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