With preseason in the books, the Cleveland Browns’ crowded quarterback competition has finally reached some clarity. After weeks of speculation, trades, and injuries, the team is signaling how their quarterback room will shape up heading into the regular season.
Kenny Pickett Traded to Las Vegas Raiders, QB Competition Closes
The biggest move came on Monday, when the Browns officially traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders. Pickett, who never saw the field in preseason due to a hamstring injury suffered in training camp on July 26, had been expected to challenge for a spot in Cleveland’s rotation. Instead, his opportunity in the quarterback battle vanished before it could truly begin.
Confirmed by Ian Rapoport, Cleveland will receive a 2026 fifth-round selection pick in return. The Raiders’ acquisition comes at a crucial moment. In the preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals, backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell broke his right wrist. He will need surgery and be out for six to eight weeks. Having started in the NFL for three years, Pickett now replaces O’Connell as Geno Smith’s seasoned backup.
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QB trade: The #Raiders are trading for #Browns QB Kenny Pickett, sources tell The Insiders, filling a key void before the season. It’s a 2026 5th rounder going back.
With Aidan O’Connell’s injury, Pickett, with plenty of experience, becomes the backup to Geno Smith. pic.twitter.com/ohEEQfj5Za
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2025
For Pickett, it’s a new start in Las Vegas, where Pete Carroll is overseeing a revamped Raiders offense. Though not expected to push Smith for the starting job, he provides much-needed stability for a quarterback room that suddenly became thin.
Joe Flacco Starter for Week 1, Shedeur Sanders and Dillion Gabriel Remain in Cleveland
Cleveland’s quarterback room now has just three guys: Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Joe Flacco. Although Flacco has been officially announced as the starting quarterback for Week 1, Sanders and Gabriel showed promise during the preseason. However, longtime Browns analyst Tony Grossi thinks Tyler Huntley’s return is still possible despite his release last week.
“Browns trade Kenny Pickett to LV Raiders. I would not be surprised if they bring back Tyler Huntley to be QB3,” Grossi said on X.
The Browns have until Tuesday to finalize their 53-man roster, and the quarterback position remains one of the most-watched storylines. For now, it’s anticipated that all three will make the roster, though roles are still being sorted.
Pickett’s exit eases some of the traffic but also emphasizes how erratic the Browns’ quarterback competition has been this summer. Injuries and roster changes have already altered what started with four strong prospects, placing Cleveland in a position where every practice, every play, and every rep will count as the season now focuses on Week 1.
