Browns commerce Kenny Pickett to Raiders for 2026 fifth-round choose

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The Cleveland Browns usually are not carrying 4 quarterbacks on their 53-man roster in spite of everything, following a shocking commerce on Monday night time.

The Browns dealt veteran Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders in change for a 2026 fifth-round NFL Draft choose.

The Raiders have been determined for a backup quarterback to Geno Smith, whom they traded for earlier this offseason with the Seattle Seahawks to reunite him together with his previous head coach, Pete Carroll. Aidan O’Connell fractured his wrist in the course of the Raiders’ preseason finale, sidelining him for six–8 weeks.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) throughout mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Photos)

O’Connell was anticipated to again up Smith this season, however that prolonged absence pressured Las Vegas to look elsewhere. Carroll talked about wanting somebody with beginning expertise, and the Raiders get that within the fourth-year man out of Pitt.

Pickett has 25 begins beneath his NFL belt, going 15–10 over that span with the Pittsburgh Steelers . Nonetheless, he couldn’t solidify the beginning job there, finally resulting in a commerce to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier than the 2024 season. It was there that Pickett backed up Jalen Hurts on the Eagles’ approach to a Tremendous Bowl LIX victory final season.

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Pickett was then traded from Philadelphia to Cleveland, because the Browns have been assembling their quarterback room with Deshaun Watson sidelined by a torn Achilles. Pickett was competing with veteran Joe Flacco—already named the Week 1 starter by head coach Kevin Stefanski—in addition to rookies Dillon Gabriel (third spherical) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth spherical).

A hamstring damage suffered early in coaching camp price Pickett priceless time to compete for his roster spot. He didn’t play in any of the staff’s preseason video games, although Stefanski talked about after the finale in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams that he believed Pickett would return in time for Week 1.

With Flacco already locked in because the starter, the query of who Stefanski would select because the Browns’ backup gained further consideration, particularly with the nationwide highlight on Sanders, the son of Corridor of Famer Deion Sanders. ESPN just lately reported that the Browns have been making ready to hold 4 quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, however the commerce modifications that total state of affairs.

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Kenny Pickett, left, Dillon Gabriel, middle, and Joe Flacco heat up throughout an NFL observe on the Cleveland Browns coaching facility on Wednesday, Might 28, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. (Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos)

Tyler "Snoop" Huntley, introduced in after Pickett and Gabriel handled early coaching camp accidents, was reportedly waived by the Browns following his preseason motion.

So whereas Pickett figures to step in because the Raiders’ backup quarterback to start out the season, who will sit behind Flacco on the Browns’ depth chart will stay a subject of hypothesis till Stefanski makes the decision.

Sanders strengthened his case with a powerful preseason debut in opposition to the Carolina Panthers, finishing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, together with 4 carries for 19 yards. Damage stored him out of the staff’s second recreation, however he returned within the second half of the finale in opposition to the Rams, the place he struggled—ending simply 3 of 6 for 14 yards whereas taking 5 sacks.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) throws a cross throughout minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025. (Ken Blaze/Imagn Photos)

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Gabriel, after lacking the opener, performed within the last two preseason matchups. He accomplished 25 of 37 passes for 272 yards with one landing and one interception. Towards the Rams, he went 12 of 19 for 129 yards and threw his lone landing of the preseason.