Ranking 3 Teams That Should Be All-In on a Kenny Pickett Trade

Barring an injury, Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett will find himself in a familiar spot come Week 1: the bench.

The Browns confirmed on Monday that Joe Flacco will start Cleveland’s Sept. 7 opener against the rival Cincinnati Bengals. It remains unclear whether Pickett will serve as the backup or if head coach Kevin Stefanski will give the No. 2 role to Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders.

As for Pickett’s next step, the 2022 first-round pick is quickly headed towards becoming the league’s next journeyman backup. Pickett has been mediocre at best, and the Pittsburgh Steelers saw enough to cut ties after two years.

Theoretically speaking, the Browns could opt to trade Pickett ahead of Week 1. If so, here are three teams that should consider adding Pickett to their quarterback room.

3. Washington Commanders

Kenny Pickett fills in and throws a TD to AJ Brown!

📺: #PHIvsWAS on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909gepic.twitter.com/P8lX2CPRsk

— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

Washington and Pickett sound like a strange match on paper, even more so considering that the Commanders run (pun not intended) a dual-threat quarterback-friendly offense. Pickett, meanwhile, has rushed for 69 yards and two scores on 51 attempts the last two years. In other words, don’t expect to see many designed runs if Pickett is in.

Marcus Mariota is working through a leg strain, and we’re not high on Josh Johnson if the 39-year-old actually needs to play. Pickett isn’t a perfect scheme fit, but he’s at least capable of starting in a pinch.

2. Tennessee Titans

Kenny Pickett to Diontae Johnson. Right on the money.#TENvsPIT on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlushttps://t.co/SEBKoOkzMqpic.twitter.com/Gq76VWTVcL

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2023

Tennessee already has Brandon Allen and Trevor Siemian in place as Cam Ward’s backups, so this might not make sense initially. However, Pickett’s $2.6 million salary is relatively affordable, and it wouldn’t hurt the Titans to acquire Jalen Hurts’ former backup to mentor No. 1 pick Cam Ward.

Additionally, Pickett could prove to be a steal if all works out. Tennessee could potentially enter 2026 with Ward on his rookie contract and Pickett on a cheap deal befitting a 28-year-old No. 2 quarterback. That idea sounds good to us, especially if Pickett does indeed become the next Josh Dobbs or Tyrod Taylor.

1. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas saw plenty of Pickett up close last season when he went 10-of-15 for 143 yards and a touchdown in a Week 16 41-7 Eagles win. That alone might not be enough to sway the Cowboys, but we have three words: Joe Milton III.

Milton has been disappointing this postseason, going 26-of-47 for 265 yards, a touchdown, and two picks in the Cowboys’ first two games. Considering that a 32-year-old Dak Prescott is coming off season-ending hamstring surgery, we suggest that the Cowboys move quickly to add a better backup quarterback.

Related: Titans Stars Escape Without Injury After Cam Ward’s Rookie Mistake

Related: A Commanders-Brian Robinson Jr. Trade That Makes a Lot of Sense

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.