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Cleveland Browns Quarterbacks Mentioned In Trade Talks

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated May 28, 2025 12:46 PM ET

There's an old saying in the NFL that if you have two quarterbacks you really have no quarterbacks. So what does that mean for the Cleveland Browns, a team that as it stands has four QBs on the roster who could all be viable Week 1 starters?

Well, most teams in the NFL are hesitant to even keep three quarterbacks on the active roster these days. Teams with four quarterbacks by Week 1 are virtually unheard of.

As a result, one NFL insider believes that the Cleveland Browns will trade one of either Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, rookie Dillon Gabriel or rookie Shedeur Sanders. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is likely heading to one of the injured lists and wouldn't be trade-worthy anyway due to his contract.

Appearing on ESPN Cleveland, NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler made the case that the Browns could wind up trading Pickett or one of the two rookies. He explained that the Browns look at quarterbacks "like currency" that they can trade to teams that suddenly become needy at quarterback due to an injury and are willing to pay more for one.

"I still think they look at quarterback pieces like currency," Fowler explained. "So if someone goes down in training camp, like there's an injury, they have somebody that they can trade. Maybe it's Pickett, maybe it's one of the rookies... but I have a hard time thinking they keep four on the roster. I think it might be three..."

.@JFowlerESPN thinks that the Browns could trade one of their 4 QBs during training camp.

"I have a hard time thinking they keep four on the roster" pic.twitter.com/klBBb3H3Ki
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) May 28, 2025

That report wasn't exactly news to NFL fans, many of whom believe it's just Fowler pointing out the obvious. Though it does cement the idea that Flacco is the intended Week 1 starter while Pickett is the odd man out.

"Well they’re not gonna put one on the PS. They’d most likely get swooped up. Damned if the do damned if they don’t. Might as well trade one and get some capital," one user remarked.

"Me thinks Kenny Pickett will end up the odd man out," another wrote.

"Duh," a third bluntly said.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 29: Kenny Pickett #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on December 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The hierarchy of quarterbacks in terms of value is probably Flacco first (for his starter ability), then Gabriel, then Sanders and finally Pickett.

That could change over the course of the offseason, but it certainly opens the door for the team to send Pickett packing well before the season begins.

Do you think the Browns will trade any of their quarterbacks before the season?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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