Kenny Pickett's $22M 5th-Year Contract Option Reportedly Won't Be Exercised by Browns

The Cleveland Browns won't exercise quarterback Kenny Pickett's $22.117 million fifth-year contract option by Thursday's deadline, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

Pickett will earn $2.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract before hitting free agency at the end of the 2025 season.

The Browns acquired the signal-caller in a March 10 trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, sending Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick to Philadelphia in return.

Cleveland's reported decision not to exercise Pickett's fifth-year option doesn't come as a large surprise, as he spent the 2024 season as a depth option behind Jalen Hurts.

The Pittsburgh Steelers initially selected Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. He failed to meet expectations throughout two years in Pittsburgh, completing 62.6 percent of his throws for 4,474 yards and 13 touchdowns as well as 13 interceptions.

The Steelers eventually dealt him to the Eagles in March 2024.

Cleveland's starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2025 season is up in the air, as Deshaun Watson's availability is uncertain due to an Achilles tear.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that "everyone in the room is competing for the job," per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Pickett will be part of Cleveland's open competition that includes veteran Joe Flacco, who signed a one-year deal with the team on April 11. The Browns also selected quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the third and fifth rounds of the 2025 NFL draft, respectively.

As the Browns prepare for training camp, they'll likely want to see how Pickett looks compared to the other quarterbacks on their roster before making a decision on his future beyond the 2025 season.