Former Alabama All-American Jerry Jeudy posted the best season of his NFL career in 2024 as he had 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns, even though the Cleveland Browns used four starting quarterbacks.
In Jeudy’s first season with Cleveland after four with the Denver Broncos, the Browns used Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe as starting quarterbacks.
Who will throw to Jeudy in the 2025 season?
It could be Kenny Pickett. Cleveland acquired the former Pittsburgh Steelers starter in a trade after he spent a season backing up Jalen Hurts for the Philadelphia Eagles. In the deal completed on Wednesday, the Browns sent Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Eagles for Pickett.
As it turns out, Pickett and Jeudy already have been practicing together.
“I’m excited about that,” Pickett said on Thursday about the prospect of passing to Jeudy. “We’re actually training together down in Florida. And it just kind of worked out that way. I was training there before I even got traded to the Browns, and now we’ll get a chance to work together down there. But just seeing his route running, his ability to create separation, get open, his ball skills, everything that he can do down the field, he’s an incredible player, so throwing the ball to him is a pretty good play. So I think it’s a good place to start. …
“It’s kind of funny how that worked out for us in our favor, and we’ll get a chance to spend some time together down there before we head back up here for OTAs.”
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Pickett joined Watson as the quarterbacks on Cleveland’s offseason roster, but Watson won’t be ready to play when the 2025 season starts.
An Achilles injury sent Watson to the sidelines after he started the first seven games of the 2024 season. He had a setback in his recovery that required a second surgery in January, jeopardizing Watson’s return in 2025.
Zappe has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Winston remains unsigned after they became unrestricted free agents on Wednesday. Cleveland had free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson at its facility on Thursday.
The Browns have the second pick in the NFL Draft on April 24, when quarterbacks Cam Ward of Miami (Fla.) and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado might come into play.
“I do view myself as a starter,” Pickett said. “I’m sure they’re going to bring in another veteran and who knows what else, but I’m just excited to be here and compete with whoever. All the quarterback rooms I’ve been in, each room has been really tight. We all pull for each other, and that’s really what it’s all about -- getting better together and making the team better -- so definitely prepared for whatever situation that may present itself. …
“All you want is an opportunity. It doesn’t matter who else is in the room. All you can ask for is an opportunity, then you’ve got to go handle the rest.”
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.