Ex-Steelers Kenny Pickett Receives Terrible News From Browns

Quarterback Kenny Pickett is battling back from a hamstring injury this preseason. But when he returns to the field, the former first-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers will not be the starter for his new team.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday the Cleveland Browns have named Joe Flacco their starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.

“Flacco quickly emerged as QB1, while the others battle injuries,” Rapoport tweeted. “The player who led them to the playoffs in 2023 is back.”

Flacco went 4-1 as a starter for the Browns in 2023. Behind his four victories, the Browns finished that campaign 11-6 and earned a postseason berth as an AFC wild card team.

Flacco owns an 105-86 record as an NFL starting quarterback. He won 96 games for the Baltimore Ravens after the team drafted him No. 18 overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Flacco led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory, winning the game’s MVP award, in February 2013.

While it makes sense the Browns are going with Flacco as their starter, it’s a significant blow to Pickett’s NFL future. Pickett is entering the final year of his rookie contract this fall and was trying to earn a starting role for the first time since 2023.

But instead of competing, Pickett has spent most of 2025 training camp and the preseason with an injured hamstring.

Pundits have speculated this preseason that if he didn’t win the starting job, Pickett could become a trade or cut candidate for the Browns. Those rumors are only going to escalate with Cleveland naming Flacco its starter.

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