Kenny Pickett Expects to Be Browns Starting QB: ‘I’m Not Going There to Hang Out’
Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett reiterated that he expects to be the starter in Cleveland. Nothing has changed on that front, even with the Browns signing veteran Joe Flacco on Friday.
“That’s the plan, man. I’m not going there to hang out,” Pickett said at Pitt’s spring game on Saturday, via Jerry DiPaola of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I want to go play. I’m excited, been working hard for it, taking it a day at a time.”
Flacco joins Kenny Pickett and Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. Watson might have played his last down, however.
“Executives and agents around the league expressed doubt to ESPN that the former Pro Bowl quarterback will get another opportunity in the NFL, even if healthy,” Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN wrote.
The first thing Watson must do to even get another opportunity is get healthy. He re-ruptured his Achilles last season, which will significantly impact his rehab.
“I would say there’s … a likelihood that he doesn’t play [in 2025] than he does from a medical standpoint,” a foot and ankle specialist who has worked with NFL teams told ESPN.
The Browns also have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, so the quarterback position could be in play. But as of right now, Pickett is the front-runner to be the Browns’ QB1 in 2025.
Pickett looks forward to learning from Flacco, who’s heading into his 18th season in the NFL.
“I’ve heard nothing but great things about Joe,” Pickett told DiPaola. “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.”
Pickett, who was the first-round draft pick of the Steelers in 2022, was a part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning team in 2024. Last month, Philadelphia traded Pickett Browns for a 2025 fifth-round pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Pickett will now face his former team in the Pittsburgh Steelers twice a year. The last time a former Steelers quarterback started for the Browns was Bill Nelsen from 1968-72.
Pickett feels like he learned a lot from the tough times in Pittsburgh.
“Yeah, being able to handle adversity and finding ways to win. At the end of the day, that’s what this league’s about – winning,” Pickett said during his introductory press conference with the Browns. “Figuring out how to get the job done at the end of the day. Whatever the team may ask or whatever that day may hold for you, just find a way to walk out of there as a winner. So I think continuing to grow as a quarterback, as a player, is something I’m going to try and continue to do here in Cleveland.”
The time spent in Pittsburgh is in the rear view mirror for Pickett. He’s just focused on being in the present.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m not going to go too much into that,” Pickett said when asked why he requested a trade from the Steelers. “I feel like that’s in the past now. I’m excited to be here. Had a chance to play in Philly after leaving Pittsburgh, but I’m excited to be a Brown now.”
Pickett looks forward to being back in the AFC North and competing against the Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens.
“Yeah, it’s going to be great. The AFC North, obviously, is very competitive, and, you know, playing in it for my first two years in the league, I understood that quickly,” Pickett said. “The games aren’t always pretty, but it’s a violent style of football and I’m excited to get back into it. I just think it’s a great opportunity to go compete again. That’s really all you can ask for, and that’s what I was told here, coming in here, having an opportunity to compete again. So I’m very excited for that.”