The Cleveland Browns have a real chance to reset the franchise with Deshaun Watson out for the 2025 season. Holding the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland can reshape its roster with a long-term outlook.
However, in the short term, the team appears focused on strengthening other areas. Their latest trade for a quarterback suggests they may not be taking a QB in the first round — or at least ensuring they have a bridge quarterback for whichever QB they draft.
Cleveland Browns Nab a Bargain at QB With Kenny Pickett Acquisition
In breaking news from Adam Schefter, it became official that the Browns are acquiring two quarterbacks from the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Schefter shared the trade details in a post on X.
“Trade: Eagles are trading QB Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns for a 2025 fifth-round pick and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, per sources.”
However, Pickett isn’t viewed as a long-term solution. He didn’t get enough reps to qualify for PFSN’s QB+ rankings, but with Jalen Hurts sidelined late in the regular season, Pickett saw extended time as a starter.
In essentially two full games, he attempted 39 passes, completing 24 for 286 yards and two touchdowns. While not eye-popping, his production was more consistent than what the Pittsburgh Steelers got from their quarterbacks last season.
A first-round pick in 2022, Pickett spent his first two years in Pittsburgh, failing to eclipse 2,500 passing yards in either season and finishing with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions over that span.
Still, the Browns may give him a shot in 2025 before targeting a quarterback in the 2026 draft. With Myles Garrett already locked up, the focus could shift to building a strong roster around a future rookie quarterback — similar to what the Texans and Commanders did with C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels.
For a team that had the league’s worst offense last season, according to PFSN’s Offense+ metric, any improvement at quarterback could be an upgrade over their 2024 situation. Unless the Browns opt for another run with Jameis Winston, Pickett could step in as the starter.
It might not lead to immediate success, but the move could put Cleveland in a better position for the future. In his latest mock draft, PFSN’s Ian Cummings projected the Browns to take Shedeur Sanders with the second overall pick.
“Shedeur Sanders might not be an elevating talent, but in Kevin Stefanski’s scheme, his accuracy can go a long way” said Cummings.
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However, with Pickett now in the mix, they may shift their focus elsewhere — possibly targeting Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter to bolster the roster instead. But it is hard to believe the Browns are going to stop with just this one addition.
Watson’s Rocky Tenure With the Browns
When the Browns traded for Watson in March 2022, they had no idea how turbulent his time in Cleveland would be.
In his first season with the team, Watson was suspended for six games due to sexual misconduct allegations. Following an appeal to extend the suspension, the NFL and NFLPA reached a settlement that resulted in an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine. The Browns finished that season with a 7-10 record.
In 2023, Watson started strong, leading the team to a 5-1 record before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 10. He underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his throwing shoulder.
A fully recovered Watson started the 2024 season but struggled early, going 1-6 in his first seven games. His season was cut short again after suffering an Achilles tear in a Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. In January, he underwent surgery and is expected to return in 2025, though he will likely miss the start of the season.
The Browns’ Uneven Road Under Center
Cleveland has had well-documented struggles under center for multiple decades now, and things haven’t been much easier lately than they were before. Watson’s 2024 season was one of the worst in the QB+ era (data dates back to 2019), recording a grade of 47.4, which ranked 222nd out of 223 qualifying seasons.
In 2022, Jacoby Brissett played in Watson’s absence (11 starts) and recorded a grade of 74.8; in 2023, Joe Flacco similarly recorded a 76.8 in five starts. However, neither stayed after that season. Furthermore, Baker Mayfield posted a grade of 64.6 in his final season with the Browns (2021; 14 starts).
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While Pickett has been unimpressive in his career, his QB+ grades have come in at 70.0 (20th-best in 2022) and 63.3 (31st-best in 2023). Both would be improvements upon Watson’s 2024 campaign.
Whether or not the Browns add a quarterback in the NFL Draft remains to be seen — both Cam Ward and Sanders seem like potential options at No. 2 — but Pickett could be an upgrade over what Thompson-Robinson and Zappe put on tape last season as well.