Former Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett is moving on to his third NFL team.
NFL Insider Adam Schefter of ESPN reports on Monday that the Philadelphia Eagles are trading Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are getting Pickett, with the Eagles getting a fifth-round choice in the 2025 NFL Draft and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in return.
Pickett, who turns 27 in June, was Philadelphia's backup behind Jalen Hurts last season. He relieved Hurts during a Week 15 game and made his only start of the year the following week.
In those two contests, Pickett completed 61.5% of his throws for 286 yards with two touchdowns, one interception, and another score as a runner. The Eagles won his start by a 41-7 score over the Dallas Cowboys.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) against the Dallas Cowboys. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
This is the second time Pickett has been traded in his three-year NFL career. He spent his first two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers before being traded by Pittsburgh along with a 2024 fourth-round draft pick to Philadelphia prior to last season in exchange for a 2024 third-round choice and a seventh-round pick in this year's draft.
In two years with the Steelers, Pickett started 24 contests and had a 14-10 record. He completed 62.6% of his passes for 4,474 yards with 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and another four scores on the ground.
The Steelers had selected Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 20th overall choice out of Pitt. He was the only quarterback chosen in the first round of the draft that year.
Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes the ball against the Boston College Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Pickett had put together a strong career at the University of Pittsburgh to put him into position to be a first-round choice, regardless of his disappointing performance as a pro. He was with the Panthers from 2017 to 2021, winning his first career start against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2017 season finale.
By the start of 2018, Pickett was the Panthers starter and remained so for the remainder of his Pittsburgh career. Pickett had a 62.4% completion percentage at Pitt, throwing for 12,303 yards with 81 touchdowns and 32 interceptions. His career passing yards and touchdowns are both Pitt school records.
Pickett's best year was his last, as he led the Panthers to an 11-2 regular season record, an ACC championship, and a berth in the Peach Bowl. In the process, he led the ACC in completions (334), completion percentage (67.2%), and passing touchdowns (42) while throwing for a school-record 4,319 yards and only seven interceptions.
Kenny Pickett capped off his Pitt Panthers as the 2021 ACC Player of the Year, the 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award winner, and as a 1st Team All-American.
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This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 7:02 PM.