Kenny Pickett Sees Himself as Browns QB1, Ready To 'Compete' After Trade From Eagles

The Cleveland Browns' newest quarterback does not see himself as a backup.

"I'm excited to get back into [the AFC North] and I just think it's a great opportunity to go compete," Kenny Pickett said Thursday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "... I do view myself as a starter."

Cleveland acquired Pickett via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick.

However, it likely isn't done adding to the quarterback room since Deshaun Watson is dealing with an Achilles injury that could sideline him for the upcoming campaign. Oyefusi noted Russell Wilson will visit with the team Thursday, which is something Pickett said he is "fine" with as the team looks for a potential veteran option.

There is also the NFL draft, and the Browns have the No. 2 overall pick and could be in position to select Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.

Still, Pickett has confidence in himself after entering the season as a first-round pick of his own in 2022. He spent the first two years of his career on the Pittsburgh Steelers and went 14-10 as a starter while completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

He dealt with inconsistency for much of his tenure with Pittsburgh and spent the 2024 campaign backing up Jalen Hurts as the Eagles won the Super Bowl.

It remains to be seen who Pickett will be competing with in Cleveland with free agency still open and the draft looming, but he is ready to battle for a starting role.