The Cleveland Browns may have quietly made one of the most intriguing moves of the NFL offseason by acquiring former Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett. While other teams are investing in splashy veteran signings or high-profile rookies, the Browns are betting on a former first-round pick who’s looking for a reset.
Can Kenny Pickett Follow Sam Darnold’s Path to Redemption in Cleveland?
According to Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, the team sees untapped potential in the 26-year-old signal-caller.
“I think they are really, really high on Kenny Pickett. The way that everyone talked up Kenny Pickett at the NFL annual meeting, the way Kenny Pickett is talking about himself, I think the Browns are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with him, in the same way some other teams have with former first-round picks who show promise early on but needed a change of scenery.”
Pickett’s time in Pittsburgh was inconsistent. Drafted in the first round in 2022, he struggled to hold the starting job, eventually losing it to Mason Rudolph in 2023 after injuries and subpar play.
He ended that season ranked 27th in QBR (38.1) and posted a passer rating of 81.4. In March 2024, Pickett was traded to Philadelphia, where he spent most of the year backing up Jalen Hurts.
But Cleveland sees opportunity where others see failure. Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer noted that the Browns believe Pickett can thrive under head coach Kevin Stefanski, similar to how Sam Darnold and Geno Smith revived their careers elsewhere.
Darnold, now in Seattle, had a breakout year with the Minnesota Vikings last season, throwing 35 touchdowns.
His move to a similar offensive system with the Seahawks is expected to be smooth, reinforcing the idea that scheme fit and coaching matter as much as talent.
Importantly, Pickett’s presence appears to be shaping Cleveland’s draft strategy. Despite national speculation that the Browns’ Week 1 starter isn’t yet on the roster, insiders suggest otherwise.
Pickett’s arrival could mean the Browns pass on high-profile quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders, who isn’t favored to be the No. 2 pick. Instead, they may target developmental prospects such as Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, or Jalen Milroe later in the draft.
Cleveland is unlikely to pursue Kirk Cousins unless he’s released by Atlanta. So with Pickett penciled in as the frontrunner, any rookie QB will have to earn their spot.
As Pluto puts it, Pickett could become a revelation if the Browns are right. This isn’t just a second chance; it might be his best one.
