QB Kenny Pickett (3.13.25)
Just wondering, how do you feel about coming over to the other side of this Pittsburgh, Cleveland rivalry, and what kind of an opportunity does this present for you?
“Yeah, it’s going to be great. The AFC North, obviously, is very competitive, and, you know, playing in it for my first two years in the league, I understood that quickly. The games aren’t always pretty, but it’s a violent style of football and I’m excited to get back into it. I just think it’s a great opportunity to go compete again. That’s really all you can ask for, and that’s what I was told here, coming in here, having an opportunity to compete again. So I’m very excited for that.”
Did you have any idea that this was in the works, that had Howie (Roseman) or anybody in the Eagles told you that this potentially could happen?
“Yeah. After the season, in exit meetings, having those conversations, I knew that there was a possibility that I was going to get traded. We felt like the two games that I got in there, I had some pretty good tape through those two games. You know, I did not know that it could have been Cleveland. That was a little bit of a surprise based on the teams that they were telling me early on in the process. But, I’m extremely happy to be here. I know how much talent is on this team. Having a chance to talk with the entire coaching staff. I’m very excited to get to work here.”
Just a real quick follow up, just coming from the Steelers and the Eagles. Just what were you able to learn from being in those organizations? You know, they’re consistently known as amongst the best in the league. What were you able to learn from those two places?
“Yeah, I think, number one, that culture goes a really long way, and the team’s identity in terms of how hard they play—preparation throughout the week to get ready to go on Sunday, that really holds true in the NFL level and at all levels of football. I think that really stuck out, early out of my career, being at, those two places and seeing how guys go about their business and play on Sundays.”
Two questions. Russell Wilson is in there today. Do you expect another veteran to be in here with you? And do you view yourself as a starter?
“Yeah, I do. I do view myself as a starter. 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 has been really tight. We all pull for each other and, that’s really what it’s all about, getting better together and making the team better. Definitely prepared for whatever situation that may present itself.”
What did you learn about yourself as a starter in those two years in Pittsburgh?
“Yeah, being able to handle adversity and finding ways to win. At the end of the day, that’s what this league’s about – winning. Figuring out how to get the job done at the end of the day. Whatever the team may ask or whatever that day may hold for you, just find a way to walk out of there as a winner. So I think continuing to grow as a quarterback, as a player, is something I’m going to try and continue to do here in Cleveland.”
The question is, why did you ask to be traded from Pittsburgh?
“Yeah, I mean, I’m not going to go too much into that. I feel like that’s in the past now. I’m excited to be here. Had a chance to play in Philly after leaving Pittsburgh, but I’m excited to be a Brown now.”
And the follow up is, how do you feel about Russell Wilson being in the building today?
“Yeah, it’s fine with me 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.”
‘The chance to compete,’ feels a little, I don’t know, ambiguous. Like, did you get any more clarity? Did that mean for a starting job? Did they tell you who you might be competing with? Anything like that?
“Yeah, chance to compete to be the starter.”
Is it uneasy at all not knowing if a guy like Russell will be signed or if they could take a quarterback at number two?
“No, not really. I mean, all you want is an opportunity. It doesn’t matter who else is in the room. All you can ask for is an opportunity then you’ve got to go handle the rest.”
Going back to your days in Pittsburgh when you were facing the Browns twice a year. Obviously Myles Garrett just signed an extension here. What was it like going against him? How happy are you that you aren’t going to have to do that as a member of the Browns?
Yeah, extremely happy that I am now on the same team as him and don’t have to give him game plan against him twice a year. But you just have to have a plan for really every play when you’re going against a guy like that, third downs, you know that he’s going to be on it and you have to send help his way. That leaves other guys singled up. There’s a time clock in your head to get the ball out of your hand. He’s an incredible player. Really glad that he’s back here and that we’ll be teammates.”
Obviously going from starting in Pittsburgh pretty quickly to having to accept a backup role in a place like Philly. How did you kind of approach that mentally and, how did you kind of handle that?
“Yeah, just looked at it as another year just to prepare and get better as a player and learn from a great organization, great team, great coaching staff. I think it was really crucial for me just to see it through another lens and be in another system, play with different teammates. They’ve got great players over there as well, so I think there was a lot of areas to learn and improve.”
Jerry Judy here last year obviously had his breakout season, first 1,000 yard season. Just what have you seen out of him and how enticing is it as a quarterback to get to throw him the ball some knowing his skill set?
“Yeah, I’m excited about that. We’re actually training together down in Florida and it just kind of worked out that way. I was training there before I even got traded to the Browns, and now, we’ll get a chance to work together down there. But just seeing his route running, his ability to create separation, get open, his ball skills, everything that he can down the field, he’s an incredible player, so throwing the ball to him is a pretty good play, so I think it’s a good place to start.”
Was this the first time you guys had trained together? Had you met him before or anything like that before this offseason?
“No, this was the first time. So it’s kind of funny how that worked out for us in our favor, and we’ll get a chance to spend some time together down there before we head back up here for OTAs.”
Playing in Pitt and then Pittsburgh, you’re kind of familiar with this Midwest area as a guy who’s spent time here, what have you come to learn about that passion behind this sport, particularly in this zone now that you’re about to play for the Cleveland Browns?
“Yeah, it’s. It’s a great environment to play in as a player. Anytime you’re in an AFC North divisional game, there’s just a bit of a different feel in the stadium. I can’t really describe it to you, just being a player playing in different games and then you get in the North and it’s a divisional game, there’s a lot more on the line. The fans really do care. They’re really passionate about teams and want to see their teams do well. So, as a player, it’s an honor to play in a stadium like that. I take a lot of pride in it and work hard to be the best I can to go out there and perform.”
Hey, Kenny, just wondering, during the draft process, did you have any meetings with Kevin Stefanski or Andrew Berry and just what did you think about it then and just coming into the building now?
“Yeah, I did. I had a chance to meet with them in Indy, with Kevin, and kind of going through his system was very similar to the offense that I ran at the University of Pittsburgh with Coach Mark Whipple. He actually worked here in Cleveland during his time in the league, too, before he was at the college level. So, having a chance to work with Coach Whip and learn from him three years at Pittsburgh in an NFL system really prepared me for the NFL and understanding the terminology, the concepts that a lot of teams do run. So, there’s a lot of crossover there. I think that’ll really help me speed that process up here, learning this system.”
And then just how much familiarity, too, with the division, is it an advantage coming back just, I mean, not only with Pittsburgh, but with Baltimore and Cincinnati, too?
“I think it’s definitely a big advantage, just understanding the style of play. When you’re playing in December and January, what those games kind of look like, it usually comes down to one possession at the end of the game, teams that protect the ball usually have a really good chance to win those games. So, I have a good understanding of how those games go over the course of the year, this season and towards the end of the year, where it’s important. So, I definitely want to use that experience to my advantage.”
I’m just wondering, with the Browns having the number two overall pick in this draft coming up and them really taking a serious look at either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, who if one of those guys gets drafted at number two, they’re probably going to start as rookies or at least give whoever a real run for their money as rookies. So just wondering, what is your mindset knowing that there’s a very good chance that they could take this quarterback at number two?
“Yeah, I think my job’s simple. I just go play quarterback. You know, there’s people that go make those decisions and I have no say in it. I really love my job, and I wouldn’t trade my job. So, I like to go out there, throw the football, compete. Like I said before, whatever happens and I’m just excited to be here and go play.”