Kenny Pickett Drops Major Hint About Browns' Next Move at QB

The Cleveland Browns' newest signal caller expects to compete for the starting job this offseason

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry vowed to reshape the team's quarterback room this offseason. That makeover is underway after swinging a trade for Philadelphia Eagles backup Kenny Pickett.

The move was made official at the start of the new league year on Wednesday. It's only the first of several additions the Browns are expected to make at the position. Something even Pickett himself understands.

"I do view myself as a starter," said Pickett during his introductory press conference on Thursday. "I'm sure they're going to bring in another veteran, and who knows what else after that. But you know, I'm exited to be here and compete with whoever."

Pickett appears to be keenly aware of the Browns plans at quarterback moving forward, even the possibility that they may select a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in next months draft.

Ironically, the day that Pickett was unfurled to the Cleveland media for the first time, coincided with the day veteran quarterback Russell Wilson was scheduled to pay a visit to Berea.

Also ironic is the fact that both QBs would be teaming up after being rejected quarterbacks of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether a meeting with Wilson turns into a signing or ends with the Browns pursuing a different quarterback, Pickett is just excited about the opportunity.

"It's fine with me," said the former Steelers' first-round pick. "As long as I have a chance to compete, that's all you can ask for. So, having that opportunity is awesome as a player. I'm looking forward to working with whoever comes in the building."

A memorable run to the Super Bowl as the primary backup to Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts paved the way for Pickett to seek a new opportunity this offseason. The 26-year-old came away from his exit interviews with team brass understanding that he could get traded and embraced the opportunity to start fresh elsewhere.

What he didn't know, though, was that those conversations would end with him coming back to the AFC North via Cleveland. Pickett finds some comfort in knowing what to expect in a division he's plenty familiar with.

"The AFC North obviously is very competitive and playing in it for my first two years in the league, I understood that quickly," he said. "The games aren't always pretty, but it's a violent style of football, and I'm excited to get back into it, and I just think it's a great opportunity to go compete."

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