Veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Cleveland Browns this week in a deal that sent Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Philly. Pickett is now back in the AFC North after spending his first two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former first-round pick said he views himself as a starter with his new organization. The 26-year-old has a 15-10 record as a starter behind 4,765 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions with the Steelers and Eagles. With Deshaun Watson (Achilles) unlikely to play in 2025, there's a real chance Pickett will compete for the starting job, but the Browns are likely to add more competition via free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Cleveland Browns are acquiring quarterback Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday in exchange for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round draft pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. With Deshaun Watson (Achilles) unlikely to be ready to play at all in 2025 after suffering a setback with his torn Achilles, Pickett is expected to compete for the starting job in Cleveland this summer in training camp and the preseason. Veteran Jameis Winston made starts for the Browns after Watson went down last year, but he's an unrestricted free agent and isn't expected to return. Cleveland could add another veteran QB via trade or free agency to compete with Pickett, but they are also fully expected to draft one with the No. 2 overall pick in April. Pickett, a former first-rounder by the Steelers, has thrown 15 TDs and 14 interceptions in his 30 games (25 starts) in his first three years. He'd be a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues if he's starting for the Browns in 2025.
Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was limited in practice all week but was removed from the final injury report on Friday and will be available for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the visiting Green Bay Packers. Jalen Hurts (concussion, finger) was also cleared from the league's concussion protocol after he missed the final two games of the regular season, so Pickett will be back as Hurts' backup this weekend. Obviously, Pickett won't have any fantasy value whatsoever in the playoffs unless Hurts is injured again. The 26-year-old former Pittsburgh Steelers QB suffered broken ribs in Week 16's loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and was pulled from his start in the Week 17 blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys before not playing in Week 18. In his five games (one start) in 2024, Pickett went 25-for-42 with 291 yards, two TDs and one interception.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was limited in practice for the second day this week on Thursday. Pickett suffered fractured ribs while filling in for the injured Jalen Hurts (concussion) in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and made the start in Week 17, but he gave way to third-stringer Tanner McKee in the Week 18 regular-season finale. Hurts returned to a full practice on Thursday and is on pace to return this Sunday for the wild-card playoff game against the visiting Green Bay Packers, but it remains to be seen if Pickett will be healthy enough to serve as Hurts' backup. The 26-year-old is unlikely to carry any fantasy value into the postseason unless Hurts suffers another injury. The former first-rounder saw action in five games (one start) in his first year in Philly in 2024 and went 25-for-42 for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Pickett suffered a rib injury in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders after he filled in for Jalen Hurts (concussion/left finger) when Hurts left the game early. Pickett proceeded to aggravate the injury in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys. Hurts returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday which suggests that he is on track to play this weekend against the Green Bay Packers. However, Pickett's participation in practice at least provides the Eagles with a path towards a potential backup plan should Hurts miss this game or be knocked out of the game once again. Hopefully, both quarterbacks will be healthy enough to suit up this weekend and provide the Eagles with the depth they need.
Kenny Pickett Active Sunday, Tanner McKee To Start
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee will start against the New York Giants in Week 18 despite Kenny Pickett (ribs) being active, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Pickett and Ian Book will handle depth roles for the Eagles on Sunday, though it's unclear which quarterback is the backup and which is the third-string. McKee got his first taste of NFL action last weekend, coming off the bench to throw three completions for 54 yards and two touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia fed Saquon Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell in that contest, but they might let McKee throw a little more this weekend with Barkley (coach's decision) inactive. Of course, A.J. Brown (coach's decision) and DeVonta Smith (coach's decision) are also resting, leaving Dallas Goedert, Jahan Dotson, and Johnny Wilson as McKee's top targets. The second-year signal-caller out of Stanford ranks as a mid-range QB3 for fantasy purposes.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) has been ruled out ahead of the Week 18 matchup against the New York Giants. Pickett suffered a ribs injury in relief of Jalen Hurts (concussion) in Week 16. Pickett received the start last week, but only made it through three quarters before exiting due to his ribs issue. Pickett hasn't practiced this week and won't suit up for the regular season finale. That means, Tanner McKee will be under center with a majority of the Eagles backups playing on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) did not practice all week but is listed as questionable to play on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants in the Week 18 regular-season finale. The Eagles are locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC postseason picture, so their main priority this weekend is getting their QB room healthy. Starter Jalen Hurts (concussion, finger) will miss his second straight game, so if Pickett is unavailable, the Eagles will be down to third-stringer Tanner McKee. McKee is planning to make the start, so if the 26-year-old Pickett ends up being active on Sunday, it will likely be in a backup role. Fantasy managers still playing for a championship in Week 18 should just avoid Philly's offense as a whole. If Pickett is ruled out, Ian Book would be the backup for McKee.
According to Jeff McLane of the Inquirer.com, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) was not seen at Thursday's practice. Pickett was also not practicing on Wednesday which puts him in danger of missing Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during Friday's session as he will likely carry an injury designation. Pickett exited last weekend's game early with a rib injury. Tanner McKee entered the game in relief. With Jalen Hurts (concussion) in the league's protocol, this could leave McKee and Ian Book as the only available quarterbacks in their final game of the regular season. McKee performed well in his small stint as he went 3-for-4 with 54 yards and two scores in relief last weekend in their victory over the Cowboys. He would be viewed as a risky QB2 if given the start on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) did not practice in the team's first session of the week on Wednesday. Pickett is dealing with broken ribs and was forced from the Week 17 blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys in favor of third-stringer Tanner McKee. The Eagles are already locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC for the postseason, and head coach Nick Sirianni has confirmed that he plans to rest starts in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants, including running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion), who was inactive last week. The 26-year-old Pickett's availability is in question, but if we had to guess right now, we'd be surprised if Pickett plays. McKee did throw two touchdowns in mop-up duty last week, but fantasy managers should be looking to avoid Philly's offense in Week 18.
Kenny Pickett
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Browns
