The Cleveland Browns have recently acquired quarterback Kenny Pickett, but they have already declined the fifth-year option on his contract. If the Browns had picked up this option, Pickett would have earned $22 million in 2026. However, since the option was declined, Kenny Pickett will become a free agent after the upcoming season.
The Browns currently have five quarterbacks on their roster: Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders (who they drafted in the fifth round), Dillon Gabriel (who they chose out of Oregon in the Third Round, Joe Flacco, and Deshaun Watson. Flacco is a veteran who is expected to play the role of mentor, while Sanders and Gabriel are rookies, and Watson is not expected to take a snap for the Browns again.
Which leaves Pickett the opportunity to come into training camp and not only show the Browns organization that he’s their quarterback of the future but also show them that he’s worthy of a new contract, even though that’s easier said than done.
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