Quarterback Jalen Hurts will have a new backup in 2025 after the Philadelphia Eagles traded Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns.
The Eagles are sending Pickett to Cleveland in exchange for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to reports from NFL Network and ESPN on Monday.
Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick from UCLA in the 2023 NFL Draft, started three games as a rookie and two more in 2024 when Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was sidelined with injuries.
Thompson-Robinson has completed 121 of 230 passes for 880 yards, one touchdown, and 10 interceptions, while also rushing for 122 yards on 21 attempts in his NFL career.
In other NFL news, the Carolina Panthers retained two cornerbacks, including one standout from Alabama high school football, while former Auburn wide receiver received a significant pay raise to stay in free agency. Najee Harris is also moving coasts in NFL free agency.
Pickett, a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft, started 24 games in his first two seasons before being traded to Philadelphia on March 15, 2024. The Eagles acquired Pickett and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in exchange for a third-round pick in 2024 and two seventh-round picks in 2025.
Pickett filled in for Hurts when he suffered a concussion during a 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders on December 22, and he started the following week in the Eagles’ 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Pickett later sustained a rib injury against the Cowboys, and third-string QB Tanner McKee led the offense in a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants in the regular season finale. Hurts returned for the postseason, leading the Eagles to a 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
Pickett has completed 471 of 744 passes for 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions throughout his NFL career.
Cleveland faces uncertainty at quarterback for the 2025 season. Watson’s return from an Achilles injury is uncertain, and he is not expected to be ready for the start of the season. Jameis Winston, who started seven games after Watson was injured in 2024, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
Gardner Minshew was Hurts’ backup in his first two seasons as Philadelphia’s QB1, followed by Marcus Mariota in 2023 and then Pickett in 2024.
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