Cleveland Browns Make Strategic Move by Trading for Eagles’ Quarterback Kenny Pickett
In a move that has sent ripples through the NFL community, the Cleveland Browns are shaking things up by trading for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett. According to league sources, the Browns are sending a 2025 fifth-round pick and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Philadelphia, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.
With the Browns entering free agency, the need to bolster their quarterback lineup was evident. This urgency was driven by the unfortunate situation surrounding Deshaun Watson, who is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2025 season due to a second tear of his right Achilles tendon. The Browns, however, are navigating these waters with limited salary cap space, having about $13 million available as of Monday, according to the Roster Management System. Despite these constraints, General Manager Andrew Berry assured reporters that the team’s financial situation would not prevent them from making strategic moves if the right opportunity arose.
With Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick and the only other quarterback under contract for the 2025 season, now headed to Philadelphia, the Browns are likely to seek additional reinforcements. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has previously indicated that players like Daniel Jones, Carson Wentz, and potentially Kirk Cousins (if released) could be on the Browns’ radar.
Let’s take a closer look at Kenny Pickett, the man of the hour. Pickett, who will turn 27 in June, was a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL draft, selected at No. 20. During his two-year stint with the Steelers, Pickett posted a 14-10 record as a starter, completing 62.6% of his passes for 4,474 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In a notable trade last March, the Steelers sent Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.
In his single season with the Super Bowl-winning Eagles, Pickett served as the backup to Jalen Hurts and made one start. During that game, he completed 25 of 42 passes for 291 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Pickett is now entering the final year of his rookie contract, making this a pivotal moment in his career.
On the other side of the trade, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, 25, has had a challenging run with the Browns. Over two seasons, he started five games, achieving a 1-4 record. He completed 121 of 230 passes (52.6%) for 880 yards, with one touchdown and ten interceptions. Additionally, he showcased his mobility by rushing for 187 yards on 35 carries.
In another significant move, the Browns have informed defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson of his impending release at the start of the new league year on Wednesday, as reported by Adam Schefter. Tomlinson will be designated as a post-June 1 cut but will be eligible to sign with a new team starting Wednesday. The 31-year-old was set to enter the third year of a four-year, $57 million deal he signed in the 2023 offseason, but he had no guaranteed salary remaining. In 2024, Tomlinson recorded three sacks and 26 combined tackles.
- The Browns are trading for Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett.
- Deshaun Watson is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2025 season.
- The Browns have about $13 million in salary cap space.
- Pickett was a first-round pick by the Steelers in the 2022 NFL draft.
- Dalvin Tomlinson will be released at the start of the new league year.
As the Browns continue to navigate the complexities of the offseason, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these moves impact the team’s performance in the upcoming season. With strategic trades and potential new additions on the horizon, the Browns are clearly positioning themselves for a competitive 2025 season.
Originally Written by: ESPN
