Kenny Pickett Reportedly Agrees to Panthers Contract Amid Andy Dalton Trade Rumors

Quarterback Kenny Pickett agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $7.5 million with the Carolina Panthers on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

This comes after Schefter reported last month that Carolina had been "getting calls" about current backup Andy Dalton.

Pickett, who turns 28 years old on June 6, has played four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders. He also spent his 2025 training camp with the Cleveland Browns.

The Steelers selected the former Pitt star and 2021 ACC Player of the Year with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Pickett started two seasons for the Steelers, completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 4,474 yards (6.2 yards per attempt). He threw as many touchdowns as interceptions (13 apiece) over 25 games (24 starts).

In March 2024, the Steelers traded Pickett to Philadelphia, where he became Jalen Hurts' backup QB. The Eagles won the Super Bowl that season. Pickett was called into duty when Hurts suffered a concussion during his team's 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders on Dec. 22. He then started the following week in a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

For the season, Pickett completed 25-of-42 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while adding a rushing score.

After the season, the Eagles traded Pickett to the Cleveland Browns, where he had a chance to claim the QB1 job. Pickett lost out to Joe Flacco and then got traded yet again to the Raiders, where he served as Geno Smith's backup in 2025.

Pickett appeared in six games (two starts) and completed 28-of-45 passes (62.2 percent) for 188 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He started Week 18 but was soon replaced for good by Aidan O'Connell after an early pick.

Pickett has been well-traveled recently, and now he'll be on his fourth team in three seasons.