Raiders Acquire Kenny Pickett in Trade with Browns
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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.
Raiders QB depth chart
Las Vegas now boasts a revamped quarterback room compared to last year. The current depth chart looks as follows:
- Geno Smith
- Kenny Pickett
- Aidan O’Connell (injured)
- cam Miller
Browns QB depth chart
The trade alleviates a crowded quarterback situation for the Browns, who were facing a decision on which rookie to keep during roster cuts. The team’s current quarterback depth chart includes:
- Deshaun Watson
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson
- john Rhys Plumlee
- J.B. Gabriel
- shedeur Sanders