Kenny Pickett will seek another fresh start with the Cleveland Browns.
Pickett is changing teams for the second straight offseason. This time, he may have a path to playing time. On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Eagles sent the former No. 20 pick to Cleveland for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick in this year's draft.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Pickett said the Browns told him he'll get a chance to compete for the starting job.
"That's really all you can ask for," Pickett said, via NFL.com. "That's what I was told here, coming in here, having an opportunity to compete again. So I'm very excited for that."
After spending the 2024 season as Jalen Hurts' understudy, Pickett said he still believes he's a QB1. However, he expects the Browns to add another quarterback this offseason.
"I do view myself as a starter," Pickett said. "I'm sure they're going to bring in another veteran and who knows what else, but I'm just excited to be here and compete with whoever. All the quarterback rooms I've been in, each room's been really tight. We all pull for each other. That's really what it's all about: getting better together and making the team better. So definitely prepare for whatever situation that may present itself."
The same day they introduced Pickett, the Browns hosted Russell Wilson for a visit. Pickett said it's "fine with me" that they met with another former Steelers starter.
"All you want is an opportunity," he said. "It doesn't matter who else is in the room. All you can ask for is an opportunity, and you got to go handle the rest."
Pickett produced 4,473 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 78.8 quarterback rating during two seasons with the Steelers. The Eagles acquired him to back up Hurts, and a late injury netted him playing time.
In his lone start, Pickett completed 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. He left the Week 17 win early with a rib injury, and Tanner McKee started Philadelphia's final regular-season game before Hurts returned to lead a triumphant Super Bowl run.
A re-torn Achilles will sideline Deshaun Watson next season, so Pickett is currently the top healthy quarterback on Cleveland's depth chart. However, the Browns could still sign Wilson or another free agent and target a passer in next month's draft.
