Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett may be in line to reclaim a starting quarterback role as the 2025 season approaches with the Cleveland Browns.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Pickett currently holds the top spot on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart as the team prepares for OTAs and minicamp.
“It’s a tough call before we’ve even seen the first practice of organized team activities, but I know Kenny Pickett heads in as the frontrunner to win the starting job at the outset,” Cabot said. “He’ll take the initial first-team reps in OTAs and probably the mandatory minicamp, and it seems like it’s his job to try to keep for now.”
Pickett, who starred at the University of Pittsburgh, was drafted 20th overall by the Steelers in 2022. He was viewed as the long-term successor to Ben Roethlisberger, but his tenure in Pittsburgh fell short of expectations. He failed to throw a touchdown pass in his final six starts, and the offense often struggled to find any rhythm with him under center. The Steelers averaged just 13.6 points per game during that span, one of the worst marks in the NFL.
After two underwhelming seasons, Pittsburgh moved on. The team traded Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fourth-round pick. In Philadelphia, he served as the backup to Jalen Hurts and was part of a Super Bowl-winning roster, though he played only sparingly.
This offseason, Pickett was traded once again, landing in Cleveland. Now, with a new coaching staff and open competition at quarterback, he has an opportunity to get his career back on track.
Still, the Browns’ quarterback room is crowded with intriguing options. Cleveland drafted Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round, a former Colorado standout who endured one of the most surprising draft-day slides in recent memory. The Browns also took former Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round after he led the Ducks to a Rose Bowl appearance and posted strong numbers in his final college season.
While both rookies are viewed as developmental prospects, they bring upside and could push Pickett if he struggles. The Browns also brought in veteran Joe Flacco, who spent last season backing up Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis.
Cleveland will face Pittsburgh in Week 5, and if Pickett remains the starter, it will mark a high-profile return to Acrisure Stadium. Considering his history in the city, the matchup promises to be one of the early season’s most intriguing storylines.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Kenny Pickett Earns Early Starting Role for Browns
