Browns Trade Pickett to Raiders in Quarterback Shake-Up
In a surprising move that reshapes the quarterback rooms of two NFL franchises, the Cleveland Browns traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. The deal, which brings a 2026 fifth-round draft pick to Cleveland, comes just as teams finalize their 53-man rosters for the upcoming season. This trade resolves what had become a complicated situation for the Browns, who were reportedly considering the unusual move of carrying four quarterbacks into the regular season. With veteran Joe Flacco already named the Week 1 starter in the wake of Deshaun Watson’s Achilles injury, the competition for backup roles had intensified between Pickett, third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel, and fifth-round selection Shedeur Sanders, the highly-publicized son of NFL legend Deion Sanders.
The Raiders’ motivation for acquiring Pickett stems from an unfortunate injury to their planned backup, Aidan O’Connell, who fractured his wrist in the preseason finale and faces a 6-8 week recovery timeline. Las Vegas, now led by former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, had specifically mentioned wanting a backup with starting experience behind newly acquired starter Geno Smith. Pickett fits that bill perfectly, bringing 25 NFL starts from his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he compiled a respectable 15-10 record. Though unable to secure the long-term starting role in Pittsburgh, Pickett’s experience made him an attractive option for the Raiders, who needed a reliable insurance policy while O’Connell recovers.
Pickett’s journey over the past year highlights the often unpredictable career paths of NFL quarterbacks. After being traded from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia before last season, he served as Jalen Hurts’ backup during the Eagles’ championship run. Then Cleveland acquired him as they assembled their quarterback room following Watson’s injury. However, Pickett’s time with the Browns was hampered by a hamstring injury early in training camp that prevented him from appearing in any preseason games. Despite coach Kevin Stefanski suggesting Pickett would be ready for Week 1, the Browns ultimately decided to move in a different direction, capitalizing on the Raiders’ urgent need to recoup draft capital.
For Cleveland, this trade clarifies their quarterback hierarchy, though questions remain about who will directly back up Flacco. Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, who was brought in during training camp while Pickett and Gabriel nursed injuries, has reportedly been waived. This leaves rookies Gabriel and Sanders competing for the primary backup role. Sanders created considerable buzz with an impressive preseason debut against Carolina, throwing for 138 yards and two touchdowns while adding 19 rushing yards. Though he missed the second preseason game with an injury and struggled in limited action against the Rams (completing just 3 of 6 passes while taking five sacks), his potential and marquee name value remain intriguing factors for the Browns’ decision-makers.
Gabriel, meanwhile, has quietly built a case for himself after missing the preseason opener. The third-round selection completed 25 of 37 passes for 272 yards with one touchdown and one interception across two preseason appearances. His steadier performance against the Rams—going 12 of 19 for 129 yards with a touchdown—demonstrated the kind of consistency that coaches often value in backup quarterbacks. The decision between the two rookies likely hinges on whether the Browns prioritize Sanders’ flashier upside and marketing potential against Gabriel’s more traditional skill set and draft pedigree.
As both the Browns and Raiders finalize their rosters ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, this trade illustrates how quickly circumstances can change in the NFL. What seemed like a quarterback logjam for Cleveland has been streamlined through a deal that addresses Las Vegas’s unexpected need. For Pickett, the move represents yet another chance to establish himself in a new environment, where injuries or performance issues could quickly thrust him into a starting role. For the Browns, the decision to part with Pickett signals confidence in their rookie quarterbacks while acquiring future draft capital—a resource that could prove valuable as they continue building around a roster with playoff aspirations, regardless of who takes snaps under center.
