Browns Trade Kenny Pickett to Raiders Amid QB Shakeup
BREAKING: The Cleveland Browns have made a shocking move, trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2026 fifth-round NFL Draft pick. This urgent update comes as the Browns finalize their 53-man roster ahead of the NFL season, and it significantly alters their quarterback landscape.
The trade, confirmed just moments ago, underscores the Raiders’ pressing need for a backup quarterback to support Geno Smith. Following the injury of Aidan O’Connell, who is expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks with a fractured wrist, the Raiders sought a seasoned option. Pickett, who has 25 starts in the NFL, fits the bill after previously backing up Jalen Hurts during the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory last season.
Despite being acquired by the Browns earlier this offseason, Pickett struggled with injuries, missing all preseason games and competing against veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders for a roster spot. Flacco has been named the Week 1 starter, leaving the backup position wide open and intensifying speculation around Sanders, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
The Browns were initially set to carry four quarterbacks, but this stunning trade reshapes their strategy. With Tyler “Snoop” Huntley waived after injuries hampered both Pickett and Gabriel’s performances, the Browns now face critical decisions about their depth chart.
Sanders showcased his potential with an impressive preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and scoring two touchdowns. However, he struggled in a later matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, finishing with just 3 of 6 for 14 yards and taking five sacks.
As the NFL’s roster deadline approaches at 4 p.m. ET on August 29, 2025, all eyes are on head coach Kevin Stefanski to see who will fill the backup role behind Flacco. With Pickett heading to the Raiders, the Browns are poised for a dramatic shift in their quarterback strategy just days before the season kickoff.
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