Kenny Pickett’s short-and-sweet tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles is over after one year.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cleveland Browns have acquired Kenny Pickett from the Super Bowl 59 champions in exchange for backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick.

This marks the second straight year where the 2022 first-round pick was unexpectedly traded. The Eagles acquired him from the Pittsburgh Steelers last year as an insurance policy for Jalen Hurts, and it culminated with Pickett hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans.

Pickett made five regular season appearances in 2024 and started the Eagles’ Week 17 game against the Dallas Cowboys (Hurts was in concussion protocol). In that game, he threw for 143 yards and a touchdown in a 41-7 win.

Kenny Pickett also took snaps in garbage time against the Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs in the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl 59, respectively, with the Eagles cruising to blowout wins.

In January, the Browns announced that starting QB Deshaun Watson re-ruptured his right Achilles and will miss significant time in 2025. Watson’s porous play means he shouldn’t play again for the Browns anyway, so Pickett should get every opportunity to win Cleveland’s starting QB job.

Kenny Pickett Gets Another Chance To Save His Career

Kenny Pickett was supposed to succeed Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh, but the Steelers gave up after two frustrating seasons that saw him throw for just 13 touchdowns and as many interceptions in 25 game appearances.

Pickett was obviously never going to replace Hurts in Philly, but he has a clear-cut path to the Browns’ starting quarterback job. Watson will miss significant time. Jameis Winston and Bailey Zappre are free agents. Thompson-Robinson was traded.

Simply put, Pickett should win the starting job as long as he doesn’t falter in training camp and preseason.