The Cleveland Browns are banking on Kenny Pickett to breathe new life into their offense this season. The 27-year-old quarterback, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade that sent a fifth-round pick and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Philly. Pickett, who struggled to cement his place with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is now in a competitive battle for the starting job alongside Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

Pickett's Journey So Far

Pickett's tenure with the Steelers was marked by inconsistency. Over two seasons, he posted a 14-10 record as a starter but threw 13 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. Following the signing of Russell Wilson in 2024, Pickett requested a trade, leading to his move to the Eagles. Although he started only one game in Philadelphia, Pickett believes the experience was invaluable.

"I'm extremely grateful for my time in Philly. I think I was just shown how it's supposed to be done, really, from the top down," Pickett said during organized team activities. "So when you get a chance to see what it's supposed to look like and how it should look on a day-to-day basis, not just on Sundays. You know, I think it'll pay dividends for me in the future."

Why the Browns Believe in Pickett

Browns general manager Andrew Berry has expressed confidence in Pickett's potential, citing his decision-making, mobility, and ball protection as key attributes that align with Cleveland's offensive strategy. "We feel like he's a good decision-maker, he does a really good job of protecting the ball. He's very mobile, and we think that his relative strengths are something that fit well with the offense that we're putting into place for this upcoming year," Berry said.

Training Camp and Beyond

As training camp approaches, Pickett has been heavily involved with the first-team offense, sharing reps with Flacco and Gabriel. His developing chemistry with top receiver Jerry Jeudy has been a highlight of the offseason workouts. The Browns are expected to return to a more traditional under-center scheme under head coach Kevin Stefanski, which could play to Pickett's strengths.

"I like how Kenny's wired," Stefanski said. "He's a really tough kid. When we traded for him, Coach [Pat] Narduzzi called me right away and was thrilled because he just believes in who the young man is and how he goes about his business. He's a gym rat. He's another guy that works extremely hard at his craft."

The Stakes for Pickett

This season is crucial for Pickett, as the Browns declined his fifth-year option, making him a free agent after the 2025 season. With a fully guaranteed salary of $2.6 million, Pickett is under pressure to perform and secure his future in the NFL. The Browns' quarterback room is crowded, but Pickett remains a strong contender for the starting role.

Learning from the Past

Pickett has drawn inspiration from other quarterbacks who have revived their careers after slow starts. Players like Sam Darnold, Geno Smith, and Baker Mayfield have shown that it's possible to bounce back and find success with a new team. Pickett is determined to follow in their footsteps.

"I think it's just the nature of where the NFL is now, you know, it takes a lot to play quarterback [well], and everyone's trying to find that guy," Pickett said. "And now I'm in this stage of my career where I'm trying to find that place and figure it out."

As the Browns prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Kenny Pickett to see if he can seize the opportunity and become the next NFL success story.