If there were a competition for the most trades in the NFL, Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell would undoubtedly be front-runners. Both quarterbacks have experienced multiple trades, raising eyebrows and questions about their future in the league.
On Monday, Kenny Pickett was traded for the third time, moving from the Cleveland Browns to the Las Vegas Raiders. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, this trade will see the Browns acquiring a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pickett, who was a first-round draft choice in 2022, began his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was initially traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, and in March, the Eagles sent him to the Browns in exchange for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and another fifth-round pick.
Sam Howell has also faced a similar fate, having been traded three times throughout his career. His journey has taken him from Washington to Seattle, then to Minnesota, and finally landing in Philadelphia. This pattern of trades highlights both players' struggles to find stability in their respective careers.
For months, analysts speculated that Pickett might be the odd man out in Cleveland. His role seemed to be that of a placeholder, especially after the Browns signed fan-favorite Joe Flacco and drafted quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The Browns had toyed with the idea of carrying four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, a plan that ultimately did not materialize. Instead, they have opted to proceed with Flacco, Gabriel, and Sanders.
With this recent trade, Kenny Pickett will now serve as the backup to Geno Smith in Las Vegas, at least until Aidan O'Connell returns from a wrist injury. O'Connell is expected to be sidelined for 6 to 8 weeks, giving Pickett an opportunity to prove himself in a new environment.
As both Pickett and Howell navigate their careers amidst these trades, it remains to be seen how they will adapt and thrive in their new teams. The landscape of the NFL is ever-changing, and both quarterbacks will need to seize every opportunity to solidify their positions in the league.
