NFL

Will Kenny Pickett Be The Cleveland Browns Starting Quarterback?

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By
Dan Girolamo
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Dan Girolamo Sports Editor

Dan is a multifaceted content creator who specializes in sports, pop culture, and entertainment. His entertainment work has been featured on Digital Trends, where he has interviewed Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis, Alison Brie, Adam DeVine, Sadie Sink, Chris O'Dowd, Machine Gun Kelly, and Frank Grillo. Dan's entertainment work has also been featured on Coming Soon, Hidden Remote, and WatchMojo. Dan's other passion in life revolves around sports, graduating from Marist College with a degree in Sports Communication and Journalism. From columns about the latest in New York sports to gambling predictions, Dan continues to find success in written and broadcast journalism. Previous written work can be found at Unafraid Show, while broadcast clips can be seen on WAVE.tv and CBS Sports.

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Sports Editor

Published13 Mar 2025

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett throws a ball in the air.

The Cleveland Browns are looking for a new starting quarterback. Will Kenny Pickett become the Browns’ starting quarterback?

Kenny Pickett Views Himself As A Starter

Earlier this week, the Browns acquired Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Pickett comes into Cleveland with a legitimate chance to be the starting quarterback come Week 1. The former first-round pick believes he can be the starter this season.

“I do view myself as a starter,” Pickett said Thursday via Jeff Skversky. “I’m sure they’re going to bring in another veteran and who knows what else, but I’m just excited to be here and compete with whoever. All the quarterback rooms I’ve been in, each room’s been really tight. We all pull for each other. That’s really what it’s all about: getting better together and making the team better. So definitely prepare for whatever situation that may present itself.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Pickett went 14-10 as the starter in two seasons with the Steelers. Pickett threw for 4,474 total yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions with a 62.6% completion percentage.

The Steelers’ offense lacked explosion with Pickett under center. Pickett suffered an ankle sprain in Week 13 of the 2023 season that required surgery.

Mason Rudolph finished the year as the starter and guided Pittsburgh to the playoffs. Pickett, who was healthy at the end of the season, became the backup quarterback.

In March 2024, Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick were traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.

Pickett backed up Jalen Hurts in 2024 but won his lone start toward the end of the season.

Browns Quarterback Situation

As of March, Pickett is the only healthy quarterback on the Browns’ roster.

Deshaun Watson is expected to miss most of the 2025 season with an Achilles injury.

The Browns continue to survey the landscape and search for other options at quarterback to compete with Pickett.

One of those players is Russell Wilson, who visited with the Browns on Thursday.

Ironically, Wilson was the quarterback who replaced Pickett on the Steelers and led the former Pittsburgh Panther to request a trade.

The Browns also hold the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Cleveland could seemingly stay in that position and take either Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, depending on which one is still available after the first pick.