When Kenny Pickett left the Pittsburgh Steelers, he did so in search of something simple: joy. “I wanna get back to having fun,” he said in 2024, reflecting on his time as the once-hopeful first-round pick now cast off from the Steel City.
But his journey – from the bench in Pittsburgh to a backup role in Philadelphia – tells the story of a quarterback whose career arc has been shaped more by circumstance than talent.
Pickett was drafted in the first round in 2022 to fill the massive shoes left by Ben Roethlisberger. But with poor support and a system that failed to develop him, he struggled. After a lackluster debut season and an injury-plagued 2023, the Steelers moved on.
A year later, Pickett joined the Eagles and walked away from the season with a Super Bowl ring. While he wasn’t the starter, he filled in admirably when Jalen Hurts was sidelined, including a gutsy Week 16 performance with broken ribs. That effort earned him a start the following week, though another injury limited his snaps. Still, the ring is real – and the irony isn’t lost on anyone.
Browns’ quarterback depth chart puts pressure on Pickett and Sanders
Now in Cleveland, Pickett enters another crowded room. Joe Flacco, the veteran who carried the Browns to the 2023 playoffs, remains the early favorite for the starting job. According to reports, his familiarity with Kevin Stefanski‘s system and leadership during offseason workouts have kept him in the lead.
But Shedeur Sanders, the rookie from Colorado, waits patiently. Though he’s unlikely to start Week 1, his potential is undeniable. And with Dillon Gabriel also in the mix, someone may have to go.
If Flacco wins the job and Stefanski sees no value in keeping Pickett as a backup, Sanders could benefit most. The Browns won’t want to cut their rookie quarterback. The battle may not be just for the starting spot – it could be for a roster spot altogether.
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