On March 10th, 2025, Andrew Berry traded Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick for former first-round pick Kenny Pickett. Then, just a month later, on April 11th, Berry signed a free-agent veteran, Joe Flacco, to the roster.
At that point, fans were a bit confused because it felt like Pickett wasn’t the future, and then to bring a 40-year-old in to compete against him never felt right. Things got even weirder at the end of April when the Browns drafted two rookie quarterbacks in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Fans were puzzled about what a 4-quarterback competition would look like, but the picture could be looking more and more clear as we get to the regular season. These rookies were always going to be a gamble, and Berry wanted to guarantee some level of competent play for the 2025 season.
Now, as we get closer to the 2025 season, the rookies are proving that it may be time to consider moving on from Pickett. Not that Pickett has done anything wrong, but both Sanders and Gabriel played very well in their first preseason game, and both need reps before the season to be prepared to play.
Flacco shows more than capable of keeping this team competitive. He’s going to throw some interceptions, but he brings a veteran presence and still has a very strong arm compared to any quarterback in the league, let alone someone his age.
“I think they are getting there on Dillon Gabriel. I don’t think they would start him in Week 1, but I don’t think they would feel uncomfortable putting him in a game.”
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 12, 2025
🚨 @AlbertBreer on whether the #Browns could trade QB Kenny Pickett 🏈
🔊 Listen: https://t.co/v8N65dSE4p pic.twitter.com/QS8fP1cWN2
With Flacco capable of starting the season, and then focusing on the two rookies' development, it makes sense to try and trade Pickett to a team that is in need of a quarterback with starting experience. The Browns don’t need to get a player in return or even a tremendous draft pick, but they do need to open up practice reps for Gabriel and Sanders.
It’s unlikely that the Browns will come out and say they are shopping Pickett, but you can expect teams that need a quarterback to be calling the Browns first to see if he is available.