Tag: Kenny Pickett

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) celebrates a fumble recovery with cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during the second quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Reports: Panthers make big moves, signing Devin Lloyd, Jaelen Phillips

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers are shelling out a lot of money to make sure their return to the postseason wasn’t a flash in the pan.

Carolina has signed former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million contract, a source told ESPN. The Panthers also doled out $120 million over four years to acquire the services of edge rusher Jaelen Phillips, according to NFL.com.

Lloyd secured $25 million guaranteed after recording five interceptions, one fumble recovery, seven pass breakups, 10 quarterback hits and 81 tackles in a breakout 2025. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and made his first career Pro Bowl.

Lloyd does come with a bit of risk, as Jacksonville decided not to pick up his fifth-year option after three disappointing seasons. He got benched during his rookie season in 2022 and continued to struggle despite reclaiming his starting spot in 2023 and 2024. However, Lloyd excelled under first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and new head coach Liam Coen in more of a pass-rushing role.

Phillips also comes with his fair share of baggage. The 26-year-old played in 12 combined games in 2023 and 2024, making nine starts, due to injury. He then started in all 17 contests last season, recording five sacks and recovering two fumbles. Phillips started the campaign with the Miami Dolphins before being traded to the Eagles in Week 10, helping Philadelphia become No. 1 in scoring defense after his arrival.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers signed quarterback Kenny Pickett, per multiple reports. The former first-rounder played for the Las Vegas Raiders last season and is 16-11 as a starter in his career. Pickett will compete for the backup role with Andy Dalton.

Carolina made the playoffs for the first time last season since the 2017 campaign, losing 34-31 to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round. The Panthers reached the postseason despite going 8-9. They haven’t finished above .500 since going 11-5 in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Raiders’ Kenny Pickett, an ex-Eagle, to face former club

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The Las Vegas Raiders made it official Friday, naming backup Kenny Pickett the starting quarterback for their Sunday game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Pickett played for the Super Bowl champion Eagles in 2024, backing up Jalen Hurts and starting one game, a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.

Regular starter Geno Smith has been nursing a right shoulder injury and couldn’t practice this week after sustaining the injury in the Raiders’ 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Pickett, 27, received first-team reps in practice this week after relieving Smith in the Broncos game, going 8 of 11 for 97 yards with a touchdown pass.

The Raiders (2-11) acquired Pickett from the Browns after training camp was completed in August. Cleveland previously acquired Pickett from the Eagles but ran out of room at the position.

Pickett has completed 481 of 769 passes (62.5%) for 4,870 yards, 16 TDs and 14 picks in 33 games (25 starts) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23), Eagles (2024) and Raiders. He is 15-10 as a starter.

The Steelers selected him 20th overall in the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.

The Raiders have lost seven straight heading into Sunday against the Eagles (8-5).

–Field Level Media

Raiders QB Kenny Pickett could start with Geno Smith hurting

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Kenny Pickett inched closer to starting Sunday’s game for the Raiders on Thursday, the second day in a row without Geno Smith on the practice field.

Smith is nursing a right shoulder injury and did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, ceding first-team snaps in practice to Pickett, who replaced Smith after he was hurt in a 24-17 home loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday.

Smith was injured during the third quarter. Pickett entered the game in the fourth quarter and threw a TD pass, going 8 of 11 for 97 yards.

Raiders coach Pete Carroll described Smith’s injury as a “jammed” throwing shoulder. Imaging of the shoulder showed no structural damage, Carroll said.

The Raiders (2-11) acquired Pickett, 27, from the Browns after training camp was completed in August. Cleveland acquired Pickett from the Eagles, where he was the backup to Jalen Hurts for the Super Bowl champions last season. But the Browns didn’t have a need at the position after drafting two quarterbacks in a span of 50 picks — Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round, Dillon Gabriel in the third — and signing Joe Flacco in free agency.

With the Raiders, Pickett is 10 of 14 for 105 yards and one touchdown in three games as a reserve this season.

“He came in with some good energy. He was able to put some points on the board — just execution,” Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty said of Pickett. “He practices well. Whether he goes or not (Sunday), I know he’ll work hard and be ready.”

Pickett has completed 481 of 769 passes (62.5%) for 4,870 yards, 16 TDs and 14 picks in 33 games (25 starts) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23), Eagles (2024) and Raiders. He is 15-10 as a starter.

The Steelers selected him 20th overall in the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.

The Raiders have lost seven straight games heading into Sunday against the Eagles (8-5).

Smith, 35, has passed for 2,648 yards and 16 touchdowns and is tied for the NFL lead with 14 interceptions. He is in his first season with the Raiders after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection (2022, 2023) and 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Smith has thrown for 21,791 yards, 121 touchdowns and 86 interceptions in 12 seasons for the New York Jets (2013-16), New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seahawks (2020-24) and Raiders.

The Jets selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of West Virginia University.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) throws during NFL training camp practice at the Cleveland Browns training facility, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.

Report: Browns trading QB Kenny Pickett to Raiders

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The Cleveland Browns are trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2026 fifth-round pick, according to reports.

The Raiders were reportedly searching for a quarterback after backup Aidan O’Connell suffered a fractured wrist in Las Vegas’ Week 3 preseason game against Arizona. O’Connell is expected to miss at least six weeks, opening the door for Pickett to slot in behind starter Geno Smith to start the season.

Pickett, 27, was a first-round pick of the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft but was traded to Philadelphia after his second season in Pittsburgh.

Pickett appeared in just five games last season with the Eagles, with his only start coming in Week 17 after the team had clinched a playoff spot.

The Browns acquired Pickett from the Eagles in March, hoping he would compete for the team’s starting quarterback spot.

The team would later sign veteran Joe Flacco and draft QBs Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco was named the starter last week.

–Field Level Media

Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) throws a pass during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns QB Kenny Pickett (hamstring) returns to practice

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett returned to practice on Friday, but was limited to individual drills while dealing with a hamstring injury.

Pickett, one of four players in the Cleveland QB competition, tweaked his hamstring Saturday and had been considered day-to-day by head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Veteran Joe Flacco took over most of the first-team reps this week in Pickett’s absence. In addition to Pickett and the 40-year-old Flacco, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are in the quarterback mix as Cleveland seeks to replace the injured Deshaun Watson.

Pickett, 27, was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade during the offseason.

He lost his starting job with the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the 2023 season. The team moved on from Pickett before the 2024 campaign, trading him to the Eagles to be a backup to Jalen Hurts.

Pickett is 15-10 as a starter and has completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 4,765 yards with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 30 games.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) runs for a touchdown as safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) gives chase during training camp July 25, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.

Report: Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured during practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett reportedly went down with a hamstring injury during Saturday’s training camp session, casting uncertainty over his early momentum in a crowded quarterback competition.

Sources told ESPN that Pickett sustained the injury while rolling to his right and throwing a touchdown during the final red zone drill of the day. The severity of the injury remains unclear and the Browns reportedly expect to re-evaluate him later this week.

Pickett had been making a strong case to become the Browns’ starter, taking a majority of the first-team reps during the opening week of training camp. Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave described his performance in the first two practices as “stellar,” particularly praising his accuracy. Pickett’s early success had seemingly put him ahead in the four-man competition, which includes veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

The injury now opens the door for the remaining quarterbacks to gain valuable reps. Flacco, entering his 18th NFL season, has rotated with Pickett throughout camp and brings veteran leadership to the position group. Gabriel, a third-round pick out of Oregon, has had limited time with the first team, while Sanders, a fifth-round pick from Colorado, has yet to take any first-team snaps.

Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, was traded to the Browns in March by the Philadelphia Eagles. Cleveland gave up a fifth-round pick and young quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the deal. With the Browns declining his fifth-year option, Pickett is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) practices before Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Browns won’t exercise QB Kenny Pickett’s option

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Entering the final season of his four-year rookie contract, quarterback Kenny Pickett won’t have his fifth-year club option picked up by the Cleveland Browns, multiple media outlets reported on Monday.

Pickett, 26, who will make $2.623 million this coming season, is set to compete with veteran Joe Flacco and 2025 draft picks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, with Deshaun Watson out indefinitely with a right Achilles tendon injury.

Pickett’s fifth-year club option would be worth $22.117 million, per Cleveland.com.

A first-round pick (20th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles last March and spent the season as Jalen Hurts’ backup. In five games (one start), Pickett completed 25 of 42 passes (59.5 percent) for 291 yards, two TDs and one interception.

In three seasons with the Steelers (2022-23) and Eagles, Pickett has 471 completions in 755 attempts (62.4 percent) for 4,765 yards, 15 TDs and 14 interceptions. He went 14-10 as a starter with Pittsburgh, then won his lone start of 2024 in place of an injured Hurts en route to a Super Bowl championship.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Browns trade for Eagles QB Kenny Pickett

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns acquired quarterback Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick on Monday, per multiple media outlets.

With Deshaun Watson experiencing a setback in January in his recovery from an Achilles injury, the Browns’ QB situation is unsettled, potentially giving the 25-year-old Pickett a chance to win the starting job.

A first-round pick (20th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, Pickett was traded to the Eagles last March and spent the season as Jalen Hurts’ backup. In five games (one start), Pickett completed 25 of 42 passes (59.5 percent) for 291 yards, two TDs and one interception.

In three seasons with the Steelers (2022-23) and Eagles, Pickett has 471 completions in 755 attempts (62.4 percent) for 4,765 yards, 15 TDs and 14 interceptions.

Thompson-Robinson, 25, was a fifth-round pick of the Browns in 2023 and has made five starts over 15 appearances the past two seasons. He has completed 121 of 230 pass attempts (52.6 percent) for 880 yards, one touchdown and 10 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Kenny Pickett (ribs) injured vs. Cowboys

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett injured his ribs on the opening drive of the second half against the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

The Eagles said Pickett is questionable to return.

Pickett also injured his ribs during last weekend’s loss at Washington after replacing starter Jalen Hurts, who remains in the concussion protocol.

After absorbing a late hit from Osa Odighizuwa a few plays earlier, Pickett took another shot from Micah Parsons and had to leave the game.

Pickett was replaced by Tanner McKee, who made his NFL debut with a handoff to Saquon Barkley before Jake Elliott’s 26-yard field goal extended the Eagles’ lead to 27-7.

In his first start for Philadelphia, Pickett completed 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a score before heading to the locker room with 8:03 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Kenny Pickett expects to be ‘ready to go’ vs. Cowboys

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If Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts is unavailable for their Week 17 tilt with the rival Dallas Cowboys, they’ll at least have Kenny Pickett at their disposal.

Hurts remains in concussion protocol while also dealing with a finger injury on his non-throwing hand. He did not practice on Thursday, but QB2 Pickett (ribs) was a full participant.

Pickett told reporters after practice Thursday that he expects to be able to play. He “tested out some different things padding-wise” in anticipation of being on the field Sunday against visiting Dallas, when the Eagles can clinch the NFC East title with a victory.

“It is what it is. Just something I’m going to have to deal with,” Pickett said. “So, yeah, I’ll be ready to go for Sunday.”

Hurts was injured last Sunday in the Eagles’ loss to the Washington Commanders. His head hit the turf while being tackled by Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner.

Hurts connected on just 1 of 4 passes for 11 yards before he exited the game. Pickett took over and produced 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 14-of-24 passing as Washington rallied to beat Philadelphia 36-33.

It was later revealed that Pickett hurt his ribs during the game.

“I think after a couple more days, getting a chance to kind of rest it a little bit more, go do some rehab, I’ll be good for Sunday,” Pickett said.

The only other quarterback on the Eagles’ roster is Tanner McKee, a sixth-round pick in 2023 who has yet to play a snap for them. Philadelphia signed quarterback Ian Book to the practice squad earlier Thursday.

–Field Level Media