In a stunning turn of events, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett has emerged as a prime trade target, with the Los Angeles Rams eyeing the talented signal-caller to bolster their roster amid injury concerns. Pickett, who won a Super Bowl as Jalen Hurts’ backup in 2024, was traded to the Cleveland Browns in March but now finds himself at the center of trade rumors as the NFL season looms. With a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland and a hamstring injury slowing his progress, Pickett’s first-round pedigree and proven starting experience make him a hot commodity for teams in need of a reliable passer.
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation is nothing short of chaotic, with six signal-callers currently on the roster: Pickett, rookie standout Sanders, third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, Tyler Huntley, Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, and the injured Deshaun Watson, who will miss the entire 2025 season due to an Achilles tendon injury. This overcrowded depth chart has left Pickett, a former Pittsburgh Steelers starter, fighting for relevance in a highly competitive environment.
KENNY PICKETT FAKED THE SLIDE AND RAN 58 YARDS FOR THE TD 😱 pic.twitter.com/EypNNJZYHE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 5, 2021
Despite his determination to reclaim a starting role, Pickett’s path has been rocky. A hamstring injury sidelined him for much of training camp, and he was absent from the Browns’ preseason opener, where Sanders stole the spotlight in his first NFL start. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay noted on August 13, “A hamstring injury hasn’t helped the 27-year-old’s chances of rejuvenating his career. With head coach Kevin Stefanski recently revealing Gabriel has been cleared to return from his hamstring injury while Pickett remains limited to 7-on-7 drills, the 2022 first-round pick is starting to look like the odd man out in this four-way QB competition.”
Despite the challenges in Cleveland, Pickett’s value on the trade market remains sky-high. As Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay highlighted, Pickett tops the list of notable NFL players who could be traded before the season begins. His experience as a two-year starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, combined with his dependable performance as a backup for the Eagles, makes him an attractive option for teams grappling with quarterback injuries. The Los Angeles Rams, in particular, have emerged as a potential landing spot, with their starter Matthew Stafford nursing an injury that has raised concerns about his availability.
“Teams desperate for a passer with starting experience might be willing to roll the dice on Pickett’s upside,” Kay wrote. With Pickett in the final year of his four-year, $14 million rookie contract, a trade could provide a cost-effective solution for a contender like the Rams, who are looking to stay competitive in the NFC West.
When the Browns acquired Pickett, the Pittsburgh native made it clear he wasn’t content to sit on the bench. “That’s the plan, man (to start),” Pickett told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Jerry DiPaola. “I’m not going there to hang out. I want to go play. I’m excited, been working hard for it, taking it a day at a time.” Even with the addition of Sanders, Gabriel, and Flacco to the Browns’ roster, Pickett expressed respect for his veteran teammate Flacco while maintaining his focus on earning a starting role.
Pickett’s resilience and work ethic have kept him in the conversation as a potential starter, but the Browns’ crowded quarterback room and his recent injury have shifted the narrative toward a possible trade. For a team like the Rams, Pickett could be the perfect bridge quarterback or even a long-term solution if Stafford’s injury lingers.
The Browns’ quarterback struggles extend beyond Pickett. Deshaun Watson, acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans in March 2022, has been a disappointment in Cleveland. The Browns sent three first-round picks (2022, 2023, and 2024) to Houston and signed Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract extension. However, Watson has missed significant time in each of his three seasons with the team, including an 11-game suspension in 2022 and season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2024. NFL.com’s Nick Shook ranked Watson dead last among the 59 quarterbacks who started games in 2024, underscoring the Browns’ desperation for stability at the position.
With Watson owed $92 million over the next two seasons, Cleveland’s investment in him has yet to pay off, making the addition of Flacco and Pickett seem like upgrades in the eyes of many. However, the team’s decision to draft Sanders and Gabriel and sign Flacco has only complicated matters, leaving Pickett as a potential trade chip to address other roster needs.
As the NFL season approaches, the possibility of Kenny Pickett landing with a contender like the Los Angeles Rams offers a tantalizing storyline. With his proven ability to step up in high-pressure situations and a contract that won’t break the bank, Pickett could be the key to keeping a team’s playoff hopes alive. Whether he’s anchoring the Rams’ offense or sparking a bidding war among other quarterback-needy teams, Pickett’s next move could redefine his career and shake up the NFL landscape.