The Cleveland Browns are facing a significant surplus at the quarterback position. With Joe Flacco established as the starter, the team’s depth chart also includes Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Tyler Huntley. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson’s status for the 2025 season remains uncertain as he rehabilitates a torn Achilles.
Since NFL teams typically carry only two or three quarterbacks on their active roster, Cleveland may be forced to make a move to free up a valuable roster spot for a contributor at another position.
A recent proposal from Alex Kay of Bleacher Report suggests a solution: trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.
“The Vikings might prefer a backup with some experience to work behind J.J. McCarthy this season,” Kay noted. “While Pickett has had his struggles since being drafted in the first round in 2022, he boasts a respectable 15-10 record as a starter and could provide Minnesota with a quality insurance option for an unproven young signal-caller.”
This proposal comes shortly after Cleveland acquired Pickett this offseason as an insurance policy. While trading him for a sixth-round pick would represent a diminished return on their initial investment—which included sending Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick—it would be preferable to releasing him for no compensation.
For the Vikings, the 27-year-old former first-round pick could provide valuable experience to a quarterback room led by a rookie. However, Minnesota may not prioritize the position, potentially confident in their current backups Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. The team also has other pressing needs, such as acquiring another wide receiver.
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