Browns trade Kenny Pickett to Raiders for 2026 fifth-round pick

The Cleveland Browns made a surprising move on Monday night, trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round NFL Draft pick. This trade came after the Raiders’ backup quarterback, Aidan O’Connell, suffered a wrist injury during the preseason finale, leaving them in need of a reliable backup to Geno Smith.

Pickett, who has 25 NFL starts under his belt, previously played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles before landing in Cleveland. He was competing for a roster spot with the Browns alongside veteran Joe Flacco, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. However, a hamstring injury during training camp limited Pickett’s playing time and ultimately led to his trade to the Raiders.

With Flacco set as the Browns’ Week 1 starter, the backup quarterback position remains up for grabs between Gabriel and Sanders. Sanders showed promise in the preseason, while Gabriel also had a solid showing in his limited playing time. The final decision on who will back up Flacco will likely be made by head coach Kevin Stefanski before the roster deadline.

The Browns, like all NFL teams, must finalize their roster by Tuesday’s deadline. It will be interesting to see how the quarterback situation unfolds in Cleveland and how Pickett fits in with the Raiders as their backup option. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.