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Browns Trade QB Kenny Pickett to Raiders — Will Back Up Geno Smith, Vows Loyalty to Silver & Black
In a surprise move shaking up the quarterback market, the Cleveland Browns have traded quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he is expected to serve as the primary backup to veteran Geno Smith.
The deal was finalized late Monday, ending Pickett’s short and rocky tenure with the Browns and giving the Raiders additional depth and security at the most important position on the field.
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🔄 The Trade Details
While financial terms and draft compensation are yet to be fully disclosed, sources close to the negotiations confirm that the Browns agreed to the trade after ongoing concerns about Pickett’s development and fit in Cleveland’s offensive scheme.
For the Raiders, the move provides:
A proven young QB option behind starter Geno Smith.
Flexibility in the depth chart heading into training camp.
A long-term insurance policy, should Smith struggle or face injury setbacks.
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🏈 Pickett’s First Words as a Raider
After touching down in Las Vegas, Pickett wasted no time pledging his full commitment to his new team.
> “This is a fresh start for me. I’m grateful to the Raiders for believing in me, and I promise Raider Nation I’ll stay loyal and give everything I have to this franchise,” Pickett said at his introductory press conference.
Despite being slotted in as a backup, Pickett emphasized that he views this as an opportunity to learn from Geno Smith and improve his game while preparing to contribute whenever called upon.
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📉 Browns Move On
For Cleveland, trading Pickett marks the end of a brief chapter. Initially brought in as a developmental quarterback, Pickett never fully settled into the Browns’ system, and with other roster needs pressing, the front office opted to move him while his market value remained viable.
Team officials praised his professionalism, but it was clear a fresh start was best for both sides.
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📈 Raiders’ QB Room Gets Stronger
With Geno Smith established as the Raiders’ starter, the addition of Pickett gives the coaching staff confidence that they now have a capable No. 2 ready to step in if needed. Smith, who has revitalized his career in recent seasons, welcomed the move:
> “Kenny’s a competitor. I’m looking forward to working with him and helping him grow. We’re all here for the same reason — to win football games,” Smith said.
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🔮 What It Means Going Forward
For the Raiders:
Short term: Pickett provides depth and stability at QB.
Long term: At just 26 years old, he could still develop into a starting option if groomed correctly.
For Pickett personally, this is a chance at redemption — a new environment, a veteran mentor in Smith, and a fanbase eager to see him succeed.
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🏟 Raider Nation Reacts
Social media lit up with mixed emotions after the announcement. Some fans celebrated the move as smart roster building, while others questioned if Pickett can ever fulfill the potential that made him a first-round draft pick.
Regardless, the consensus is clear: Las Vegas has strengthened its quarterback room, and Kenny Pickett has a chance to rewrite his story in silver and black.
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