The only healthy quarterback currently on the Cleveland Browns roster, Kenny Pickett is first in line for snaps this offseason.
Pickett, however, understands competition will be imported in the form of another veteran and possibly a rookie.
The 2022 first-round pick of the Steelers still sees himself as a starter after being benched in Pittsburgh and sitting behind Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia for a year.
"I do view myself as a starter," Pickett said Thursday. "I'm sure they're going to bring in another veteran and who knows what else, but I'm just excited to be here and compete with whoever. All the quarterback rooms I've been in, each room's been really tight. We all pull for each other. That's really what it's all about: getting better together and making the team better. So definitely prepare for whatever situation that may present itself."
The Browns acquired Pickett in a trade with the Eagles in exchange for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick. The clubs essentially swapped depressed quarterback assets.
Moving to Cleveland, where Deshaun Watson is anticipated to miss the entire season, at least opens the possibility of Pickett playing a role in 2025.
"I just think it's a great opportunity to go compete again," he said. "That's really all you can ask for. That's what I was told here, coming in here, having an opportunity to compete again. So I'm very excited for that."
The Browns also brought in Russell Wilson for a visit on Thursday. Pickett dismissed the veteran's presence in the building on the same day as his introductory presser.
"Yeah, that's fine with me," Pickett said. "As long as I have a chance to compete, that's all you can ask for. So having that opportunity is awesome as a player, so I'm looking forward to working with whoever comes in the building."
Pickett went 14-10 as the starter in two years with the Steelers, completing 62.6% of his passes for 4,474 total yards with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He led one of the least explosive offenses in the NFL over that span. The 26-year-old played fine in chunks of two games with the Eagles, starting one, but exited with an injury to his ribs.
A game-manager with little upside, Pickett profiles as a backup quarterback at this point. With the No. 2 overall pick, the Browns could draft an immediate starter or bring in a Wilson-type to leapfrog Pickett for a season. For now, however, Pickett will prepare to compete for reps this offseason.
