Browns trade QB Kenny Pickett to the Raiders, where he’ll back up Geno Smith

Kenny Pickett is on the move again The Browns traded Pickett to Las Vegas on Monday night for a fifth-round draft pick in giving the Raiders a proven backup quarterback and clearing the way for two rookies to back up Joe Flacco in Cleveland It s the third time in less than months that Pickett has been traded He was the th overall pick by Pittsburgh in the draft and started games in two seasons for the Steelers before being dealt to Philadelphia in Pickett will back up Geno Smith in Las Vegas after Aidan O Connell broke his right wrist in Saturday s preseason encounter at Arizona The Eagles won the Super Bowl last season when Pickett was the backup to Jalen Hurts He was traded to Cleveland in March for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick Cleveland signed Flacco one month later and drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth Pickett suffered a hamstring injury on July and didn t play in the preseason Coach Kevin Stefanski had mentioned he expected Pickett to be available for Cleveland s Sept opener against Cincinnati Stefanski did not name a backup last week when Flacco was named the Week starter but Gabriel would likely fill that role if the Browns don t sign another QB Cleveland disclosed Tyler Huntley on Sunday but he could be an option if the Browns want a veteran with starting experience O Connell will miss six to eight weeks for Las Vegas and coach Pete Carroll made it clear that the Raiders would pursue another quarterback because he reported rookie Cam Miller wasn t ready to be the No I want somebody who s played Carroll commented Sunday That s what s pivotal a guy that s had tournament experience is really huge to me We have Cam and Cam hasn t played in the league much so we re looking for an experienced player that could help us Pickett has started games in three seasons and is - He has completed of his passes for yards with touchdowns and interceptions O Connell started games over the past two seasons including seven games in He threw for yards eight touchdowns and four interceptions last year The Raiders who open at New England on Sept signed Smith in the offseason bumping O Connell to the backup role Want more Broncos news Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis