When a first-round pick sees his team sign a veteran to start, reality sets in — it’s time to put the house up for sale and contact your agent.
That organizational nudge can create a sense of urgency, pushing players to look inward. In understanding what went wrong, players will also look for what can go right.
No high draft pick loves the idea of a one-year contract, especially when not injured. Still, one of the newest Cleveland Browns quarterbacks appears thankful for the experience.
Cleveland Browns QB Kenny Pickett Hopes to Turn Philly Stop Into a Brighter Future
In the NFL, you rarely see a first-round draft pick, especially a quarterback, traded after just two seasons. When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Russell Wilson, the 20th overall pick in the 2022 draft — Kenny Pickett — wanted to leave. After two seasons and a solid, if not spectacular, 14-10 record, the University of Pittsburgh alum needed a change of scenery.
Instead of a place where he could challenge for a starting role, Pickett landed in a spot where he was expected to sit on the bench. In Philadelphia, the Eagles relied on Jalen Hurts to lead them. Pickett took on the backup job, grabbing the ball cap and clipboard without complaint.
But that one-year trip to Philadelphia gave him an opportunity. He earned a Super Bowl ring as a contributor. In his lone start, Pickett led the Eagles to a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys, throwing and running for a touchdown. NFL insider Ian Rapoport tweeted about the Pickett interview with NFL writer Kevin Patra.
#Browns QB Kenny Pickett: “I’m extremely grateful for my time in Philly. I think I was just shown how it’s supposed to be done, really, from the top down.”
More from Pickett 👇👇👇 https://t.co/w2YlpGZprC — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 29, 2025
“I’m extremely grateful for my time in Philly,” Pickett said on Wednesday, according to the Browns’ official transcript. “I think I was just shown how it’s supposed to be done, really, from the top down. When you get a chance to see what it’s supposed to look like and how it should look on a day-to-day basis, not just on Sundays, I think it’ll pay dividends for me in the future.”
The quarterback praised the Eagles while indirectly taking a swipe at the Steelers. In hindsight, Pickett’s criticism seems fair. Pittsburgh only gave him two seasons to prove they made the right pick.
The final blow came when Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson, a quarterback Denver paid tens of millions to not play for them. The Steelers welcomed the veteran while Pickett moved on. In Philly, he learned from a championship-level team.
Pickett is now part of a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland, including Deshaun Watson. In recent years, Cleveland has not exactly looked like a model of efficient management.
But the year with the Eagles could be the turning point Pickett thinks it is. Either way, he will have to fight hard to earn another chance to start.