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Kenny Pickett Isn’t in Cleveland to Sit – He’s Gunning for the Starting Job
Kenny Pickett isn’t mincing words about his plans in Cleveland — he’s not there to collect a paycheck and ride the bench. He’s gunning for the starting quarterback job with full confidence and focus. “I’m not going there to hang out,” he said this weekend during Pitt’s spring game, a clear signal that he views this as a real opportunity to seize control of a franchise looking for answers under center.
The Browns acquired Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this offseason, a move that sent Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick the other way. At that time, with Deshaun Watson sidelined — once again due to a ruptured Achilles — Pickett was the only healthy quarterback on the roster. That changed quickly when Cleveland brought back Joe Flacco on a one-year, $4 million deal, injecting veteran competition into the mix.
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But for Pickett, competition doesn’t mean concession. He’s ready to fight for the job, even if it means lining up next to someone he grew up watching. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about Joe. I’ve been watching him since I was 10 years old. Total respect for Joe, what he’s done, and I’m excited to get to work with him, too,” Pickett shared. It’s clear he values the experience Flacco brings, but also sees himself as more than just the “next guy up.”
Flacco may be a fan favorite after his playoff push with the Browns in 2023 — going 4-1 down the stretch and earning Comeback Player of the Year honors — but it’s worth remembering that those glory days were brief. He’s struggled to consistently perform over the last few years, including stints with other teams where he went just 3-14 as a starter before returning to Cleveland.
Pickett, meanwhile, is looking to reset his career after two up-and-down seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and a learning year with the Eagles. Though his numbers in Pittsburgh (13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 179 yards per game) weren’t electrifying, he has a strong sense of unfinished business and a hunger to prove he can do more.
That fire was on full display back in Pittsburgh this weekend, not just with his words, but his presence — serving as honorary captain for Pitt’s Blue-Gold Spring Game, and reconnecting with former teammates over dinner. It’s a full-circle moment, but he made it clear he’s looking forward to something even more personal: facing the Steelers in 2025 at Acrisure Stadium.
With Watson's future in limbo and the Browns continuing to evaluate quarterback options heading into the draft, Pickett's hunger, maturity, and readiness to compete are timely. Whether he wins the job outright or not, Kenny Pickett has already shifted the tone — he’s not the backup. He’s the guy coming for the top spot. And in Cleveland, that kind of mentality might be exactly what this team needs.
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