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Deshaun Watson may not play during the 2025 NFL season after tearing his Achilles twice in a span of three months. That left the Cleveland Browns looking for a new starting quarterback ahead of the upcoming campaign.
If Kenny Pickett has it his way, he will get a chance to prove himself in the starting role.
"That’s the plan, man [to start]. I’m not going there to hang out," Pickett said at his alma mater Pitt's spring game, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I want to go play. I’m excited, been working hard for it, taking it a day at a time."
The Browns acquired Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles in an offseason trade. Cleveland sent a 2025 fifth-round draft pick (No. 164 overall) and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to acquire Pickett, a former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns will be Pickett's third team in as many seasons. He has a 15-10 career record as a starter and has completed 62.4% of his passes for 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions across 30 career games.
That said, Pickett spent the 2024 NFL season as Jalen Hurts' backup. He made just one start during the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning season and is looking forward to having a chance to battle for playing time in Cleveland.
"I’m really excited just to get there and get back to competing, get back to playing, meeting new people, meeting my new teammates, building those relationships," he said. "New stop in the journey."
2025 NFL DRAFT: Which teams should draft a QB? Ranking all 32
But will Pickett win the starting job? He figures to have competition even if Watson isn't able to return in 2025.
Here's a run-down of who else may comprise Cleveland's quarterback room for the upcoming season.
The Browns signed Flacco to a one-year, $4 million deal on April 11 to add veteran depth to their quarterback room. The 40-year-old spent last season with the Indianapolis Colts but helped lead Cleveland to the postseason following Watson's season-ending shoulder injury in 2023.
Flacco had a 4-1 record in five starts for the Browns, completing 60.3% of his passes for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Pickett is looking forward to competing with the 18-year NFL veteran who helped the Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl 47 in 2013.
"I’ve heard nothing but great things about Joe," Pickett told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I’ve been watching him since I was 10 years old. Total respect for Joe, what he’s done and I’m excited to get to work with him, too."
BROWNS SIGN JOE FLACCO: How QB's return changes outlook of No. 2 pick
Cleveland is also expected to select a quarterback at some point in the 2025 NFL draft. It isn't clear exactly when the Browns will do so – and who may be on the board when they are ready to take a quarterback – but there are plenty of options for the team.
The Browns are being increasingly tied to Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick. As such, Cleveland isn't expected to spend the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback, but the team could use the 33rd pick on a signal-caller. The Browns could also trade up should one of the draft's top passers – like Colorado's Shedeur Sanders or Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart – slide down the board.
If both Sanders and Dart go in the first round and Cleveland can't trade up, it could target a couple of other quarterbacks with the 33rd pick. Alabama's Jalen Milroe has great athleticism, mobility and upside; Kevin Stefanski could envision developing him into a starter by improving his accuracy and consistency.
The other option would be Louisville's Tyler Shough. He will turn 26 during his rookie season, but he has seven years of college experience, good athleticism and a strong arm that could allow him to become a solid starter.
NFL MOCK DRAFT 2025: Projecting landing spots for every QB
If the Browns wait any longer for a quarterback, they will likely have to settle for passers who may profile more as backups. Still, some have the skills needed to potentially develop into quality starters.
Below is a run-down of the mid-to-late-round signal-callers that could be drafted in 2025.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kenny Pickett hoping to start for Browns: 'I want to go play'
Continue reading...
If Kenny Pickett has it his way, he will get a chance to prove himself in the starting role.
"That’s the plan, man [to start]. I’m not going there to hang out," Pickett said at his alma mater Pitt's spring game, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I want to go play. I’m excited, been working hard for it, taking it a day at a time."
The Browns acquired Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles in an offseason trade. Cleveland sent a 2025 fifth-round draft pick (No. 164 overall) and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to acquire Pickett, a former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns will be Pickett's third team in as many seasons. He has a 15-10 career record as a starter and has completed 62.4% of his passes for 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions across 30 career games.
That said, Pickett spent the 2024 NFL season as Jalen Hurts' backup. He made just one start during the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning season and is looking forward to having a chance to battle for playing time in Cleveland.
"I’m really excited just to get there and get back to competing, get back to playing, meeting new people, meeting my new teammates, building those relationships," he said. "New stop in the journey."
2025 NFL DRAFT: Which teams should draft a QB? Ranking all 32
Browns QB options
But will Pickett win the starting job? He figures to have competition even if Watson isn't able to return in 2025.
Here's a run-down of who else may comprise Cleveland's quarterback room for the upcoming season.
Joe Flacco
The Browns signed Flacco to a one-year, $4 million deal on April 11 to add veteran depth to their quarterback room. The 40-year-old spent last season with the Indianapolis Colts but helped lead Cleveland to the postseason following Watson's season-ending shoulder injury in 2023.
Flacco had a 4-1 record in five starts for the Browns, completing 60.3% of his passes for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Pickett is looking forward to competing with the 18-year NFL veteran who helped the Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl 47 in 2013.
"I’ve heard nothing but great things about Joe," Pickett told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I’ve been watching him since I was 10 years old. Total respect for Joe, what he’s done and I’m excited to get to work with him, too."
BROWNS SIGN JOE FLACCO: How QB's return changes outlook of No. 2 pick
NFL draft quarterbacks
Cleveland is also expected to select a quarterback at some point in the 2025 NFL draft. It isn't clear exactly when the Browns will do so – and who may be on the board when they are ready to take a quarterback – but there are plenty of options for the team.
The Browns are being increasingly tied to Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick. As such, Cleveland isn't expected to spend the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback, but the team could use the 33rd pick on a signal-caller. The Browns could also trade up should one of the draft's top passers – like Colorado's Shedeur Sanders or Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart – slide down the board.
If both Sanders and Dart go in the first round and Cleveland can't trade up, it could target a couple of other quarterbacks with the 33rd pick. Alabama's Jalen Milroe has great athleticism, mobility and upside; Kevin Stefanski could envision developing him into a starter by improving his accuracy and consistency.
The other option would be Louisville's Tyler Shough. He will turn 26 during his rookie season, but he has seven years of college experience, good athleticism and a strong arm that could allow him to become a solid starter.
NFL MOCK DRAFT 2025: Projecting landing spots for every QB
If the Browns wait any longer for a quarterback, they will likely have to settle for passers who may profile more as backups. Still, some have the skills needed to potentially develop into quality starters.
Below is a run-down of the mid-to-late-round signal-callers that could be drafted in 2025.
- Kyle McCord, Syracuse
- Will Howard, Ohio State
- Quinn Ewers, Texas
- Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
- Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
- Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kenny Pickett hoping to start for Browns: 'I want to go play'
Continue reading...
