The Cleveland Browns could be looking to trade Kenny Pickett if Dillon Gabriel proves to be QB1-worthy in Berea this offseason.
Oregon Ducks football great Dillon Gabriel has a chance to transition from a Big Ten title run and an undefeated regular season in Eugene to becoming the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns by Week 1 of the NFL season.
And if they do, Pickett could become a trade candidate in Cleveland.
Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein reported that Gabriel progressed quickly enough in Browns minicamp to elevate himself into the starting conversation.
She also shared the potential consequences for Pickett if that happens, with the caveat that the former Pitt star could potentially start instead.
“Gabriel played 64 college games at three schools, throwing for 18,722 yards, 155 touchdowns and 32 interceptions across UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. He will have an adjustment period in the NFL. But the Browns allowed him to begin working with more veteran concepts during minicamp because of the rate at which he was progressing,” Epstein wrote.
“Consider Gabriel a dark-horse option for Week 1 starter and realistic option to take further reins later in the season.
“If Pickett can convince the Browns he’s as ready to thrive in Week 1 as Flacco (or close), he could win that job as the Browns can gain more future upside by investing snaps into a 27-year-old than a 40-year-old. Pickett could also be a candidate for trade bait if Flacco seems healthy and Gabriel is ready for backup duties."
Cleveland’s QB situation is as fluid as it gets.
Joe Flacco is the most experienced option and has won with the Browns, but he’s on the wrong side of 40.
Pickett may play himself into being traded if he performs well enough in training camp. These reports make it seem like Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski, and Co. don’t want him to win the starting job.
Gabriel is on the verge of earning the QB1 role at some point. Shedeur Sanders is not.
It’s anyone’s guess where this leads next.
If Gabriel wins the starting job, though, we’d have a much better idea.
Category: General Sports
