The Cleveland Browns have decided not to carry four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster following a surprising trade on Monday evening.
In a move that caught many off guard, the Browns sent veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Raiders were in need of a backup for Geno Smith, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason, reuniting with head coach Pete Carroll. Adding to their woes, Aidan O’Connell sustained a wrist injury during the Raiders’ preseason finale, leaving him sidelined for six to eight weeks.
O’Connell was expected to step in as Smith’s backup, but with the injury forcing the team to look elsewhere, the Raiders opted for Pickett, who has prior experience in the league. With 25 starts under his belt, Pickett holds a record of 15-10 during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though his inability to secure a starting position there led to a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 2024 season, where he contributed to their Super Bowl LIX success.
Following that stint, he found himself traded from Philadelphia to Cleveland, joining a quarterback lineup that includes Deshaun Watson, who is recovering from a torn Achilles. Pickett’s competition included veteran Joe Flacco, and he has already been named a weekly starter by head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Although he faced hamstring injuries early in camp and missed the team’s preseason games, Stefanski expressed confidence that Pickett would be ready for the first week of the season.
While Flacco has been confirmed as the starting quarterback, there remains some uncertainty regarding who else will fill the backup roles. The Browns’ backups have attracted attention, particularly with the addition of Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. ESPN had previously reported that the Browns were considering taking four quarterbacks into the season, but the recent trade has shifted this narrative.
Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, who was acquired shortly after Pickett and Gabriel faced early camp injuries, was reportedly let go by the team following his preseason performances.
As it stands, Pickett is likely to step into the role of backup quarterback for the Raiders, while speculation continues around who Stefanski will ultimately select for the Browns’ depth chart. Sanders showcased his talent during his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, completing a substantial number of passes and achieving two touchdowns, though he struggled in the later final against the Rams.
Gabriel, who sat out the opener, returned for the last two preseason games, completing a solid number of passes with one touchdown and one interception.
The Browns, like all NFL teams, are expected to finalize their rosters by the 4 PM ET deadline on Tuesday.
