In many ways, most of us are just guessing what the Cleveland Browns plans are at the quarterback position. It makes the most sense that the team is seeing what they have with rookie Dillon Gabriel before turning things over to see what they have with rookie Shedeur Sanders. The latter hinted as much recently.
Keeping track of the quarterback moves this season, in order, it feels like a game of throwing stuff against the wall, if we are being honest:
With the NFL trade deadline around the corner, could the Browns have one more deal for Pickett coming?
Hear us out. All offseason, it seemed like Pickett was the leader in the clubhouse for Cleveland’s starting job but a bad hamstring injury led to Flacco taking the role and Pickett being traded away. In totality, those moves made sense to keep both Gabriel and Sanders on the roster instead of waiving (and likely losing) a player that was drafted months prior.
Now, the Las Vegas Raiders are opening the return window for QB Aidan O’Connell, whose injury led them to make the deal for Pickett:
With Geno Smith locked in as the starter and O’Connell on his way back, perhaps Cleveland could pivot back to Pickett, bench Gabriel, and move Sanders back to the QB3 role.
Given where things started this year, with Pickett seemingly their choice as the starter, and where things stand now, a mess, a third trade involving the Browns and Pickett actually wouldn’t be that surprising.