Raiders Acquire Kenny Pickett in Trade with Browns

The Las Vegas Raiders have acquired ⁢quarterback Kenny Pickett from‍ the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2025 draft⁢ pick,​ the teams announced Monday. ⁤The pick is a third-round selection, according too reports.

The ⁣move comes after Raiders‍ backup quarterback Aidan ⁢O’Connell sustained a fractured ⁤wrist during the preseason finale. Las Vegas previously​ traded a third-round ⁢pick to the Seattle Seahawks in March for Geno Smith, who is expected to be the team’s starter.

Pickett, a ⁢first-round pick (20th overall) by ⁢the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ‌2022 NFL Draft, started 12 games over two‍ seasons,‌ completing 62.0% of his passes for 2,404 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He was acquired by the Browns earlier this ⁣offseason after ‌the Steelers traded him to‍ the Philadelphia eagles for a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick.

The Browns currently have Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback, along with Dorian Thompson-Robinson and John Rhys⁢ Plumlee. By moving pickett, the ⁣Browns can retain both J.B. Gabriel ⁢and Shedeur Sanders on the‍ active roster,⁤ creating another roster spot ​for depth at a⁤ different position.Sanders was ⁤signed by the ​Browns as an undrafted free agent following a accomplished college career at Colorado.

Pickett won a ⁣Super⁢ Bowl with the Eagles as a backup quarterback​ last season.

This ⁣marks the second quarterback acquisition for the Raiders this offseason. They initially acquired‍ Geno ‍Smith from the Seattle Seahawks for a 2025 third-round pick.