Eagles reportedly trade Kenny Pickett to Browns

One way or another, the Eagles will have a new backup quarterback in 2025.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Eagles are trading Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick. 

Pickett appeared in five games this past season, including starting a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 when Jalen Hurts was out with a concussion. The former first-round pick had a strong showing in his lone start of the season, completing 10 of 15 pass attempts for 143 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for another score. 

Ultimately, Pickett — who grew up as an Eagles fan in Ocean Township, NJ — walked away with a ring for his one year in Philadelphia. 

Given that Deshaun Watson retore his achilles in January, there's a real chance that he misses the entire 2025 season. But the much-maligned quarterback will still have a $36.9 million cap hit regardless. Pickett — who is entering the final year of his rookie deal — will have just a $2.6 million cap hit in 2025. Acquiring Pickett doesn't prevent the Browns from signing another veteran quarterback or drafting a player at that position. But it's possible Pickett opens next year as the starter for the Browns. 

Meanwhile, Thompson-Robinson was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and has had some impressive flashes in the preseason. But he's struggled in actual game action, throwing just one touchdown to 10 interceptions over parts of two seasons in Cleveland. 

Perhaps DTR will come in and win the backup job for the Eagles next season, although Tanner McKee would seem to be at least on even footing with him if not slightly ahead. In the worst-case scenario, Thompson-Robinson will be a camp body, and the Eagles still walk away with a fifth-round pick for Pickett.