NFL team, Browns, opt for $22M allocation on Kenny Pickett, following selection of Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel by other teams
Browns' QB Showdown: A Pivotal Year for Kenny Pickett
Get ready for a blockbuster quarterback competition in Cleveland! The Browns, fresh from trading for Kenny Pickett, signing Joe Flacco, and drafting Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, have a packed roster. With Deshaun Watson still on the team, the organization is gearing up for some tough decisions ahead of the upcoming season.
Last Monday, the team made a final call on Pickett's contract, revealing they've opted against his fifth-year option, worth around $22.1 million. Instead, they'll pay him a fully guaranteed $2.6 million in 2025, making him a free agent in 2026.
"Sources confirm the Browns decline Kenny Pickett's $22.1 million fifth-year option for 2026. He's guaranteed $2.6 million in 2025 and hits free agency in 2026," says Mary Kay Cabot, a Browns beat reporter.
The Browns currently have a plethora of quarterback options, but the decision on Pickett's contract hints at a future parting ways after 2025. However, the former first-round pick might yet win over the Browns and negotiate a new deal in the future.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears are urged to bolster their running game post-Ashton Jeanty NFL Draft snub, as Cam Newton sends a spirited message to Shedeur Sanders following his draft selection, and Kevin Stefanski voices support for Sanders post-selection.
The Browns picked Sanders in the fifth round, No. 144 overall, and Gabriel, third round, No. 94, from Oregon. With intensified competition, the team will engage in a rigorous quarterback face-off to determine the season starter. Given the rookie duo, either could seize the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Pickett, acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, functioned as a backup last season. Despite unable to secure a permanent spot with Pittsburgh Steelers (his original drafting team), he'll now embark on his third team in four years with the Browns. In the 2024-25 campaign, he appeared in five games, starting one for the Eagles, amassing 291 passing yards, two touchdowns, an interception, and a 59.5% completion rate.
This year, Pickett must prove his worth amid intense competition as he takes on Flacco, Gabriel, Sanders, and, eventually, Watson. If he impresses, he might just earn a prominent role in Cleveland beyond 2025.
[1] Cleveland Browns Roster Changes: A New Era Begins[2] Kenny Pickett on the Move: Traded to Cleveland Browns[3] Cleveland Browns Delay Decision on Kenny Pickett: Opportunity for Prove-It Year[4] Joe Flacco Joins Browns: The Return of the Veteran QB[5] Shedeur Sanders Drafted by Cleveland Browns: A Fresh New Talent[6] Dillon Gabriel Drafted by Cleveland Browns: A New Hope for the QB Position[7] Browns' Quarterback Battle: Will Kenny Pickett Seize the Opportunity?[8] Deshaun Watson's Return to the Field: A Complicating Factor for Kenny Pickett[9] NFL's Most Heated Quarterback Competitions: The Browns' Addition to the List[10] The Impact of First-Round Quarterback Draft Busts on Team Morale[11] The Changing Landscape of the NFL: The Rise of Dual-Threat QBs[12] The Future of the QB Position: Analyzing Trends in Sports Science & Player Development[13] The Evolution of Offensive Strategies: How Coaches Play a Pivotal Role in QB Success[14] The Ethics of Team Decision-Making: Balancing Support and Competition Among QBs[15] The Business of NFL Draft: Decoding Trades and Free Agency Strategies[16] The Art of Scouting, Evaluating, and Acquiring Prospective QB Talent[17] The Legacy of Great NFL QBs: Lessons and Inspiration for Today's Players[18] The Psychological Aspects of QB Success: Building Confidence, Dealing with Pressure, and Fostering Leadership
[1] Kenny Pickett, acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, faces a tight quarterback competition in Cleveland, where his contract decision may impact his long-term future with the Browns.
[2] The Browns' decision to decline Kenny Pickett's fifth-year option for 2026 guarantees him $2.6 million in 2025, suggesting a potential departure in 2026, but the former first-round pick has a chance to change the team's perception of his value.
[3] As the NFL offseason continues, American football analysts are closely watching the Browns' quarterback situation, with multiple options including Pickett, Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson competing for the starting role.
[4] Despite being allocated a guaranteed $2.6 million in 2025, Kenny Pickett's future in Cleveland is uncertain. However, if he performs well, he may secure a more substantial role beyond 2025.
[5] Due to the Browns' QB roster changes, the NFL landscape in 2024-25 will feature intensified competition, rumors, and draft speculations, with Kenny Pickett's progress and the Browns' organizational decisions being key points of focus.
