Cleveland Browns trade Kenny Pickett to the Raiders for fifth-round pick

In August 2025, the Cleveland Browns made a significant roster change by trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders. This move came after an injury to Aidan O'Connell, the Raiders' presumptive backup QB, who suffered a fractured wrist and is expected to be sidelined for up to two months. Pickett's journey through the NFL has been tumultuous, having been traded multiple times since being drafted in the first round in 2022. He was initially with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then moved to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he backed up Jalen Hurts, before making his way to the Browns in March 2025. During training camp, Pickett was unable to compete actively due to a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the preseason. This trade means that the Browns will no longer carry four quarterbacks on their active roster and reflects a reshuffling of their quarterback depth chart, with Joe Flacco officially re-established as the starter. The Browns now have Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders moving up the depth chart following Pickett's departure. The decision not to keep four quarterbacks enables the Browns to streamline their roster while still allowing for competition among the new backup candidates. Meanwhile, Pickett finds himself again starting his role as a backup quarterback, this time in Las Vegas, where he is expected to support Geno Smith as the starter. This trade emphasizes the challenges and uncertainty that often accompany NFL rosters, particularly for quarterbacks, where injuries and performance issues can rapidly shift a player’s standing on a team.