PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – What a calendar year for Pitt All-American Kenny Pickett, introduced as the newest Cleveland Browns quarterback on Thursday. Last year at this time he was still a Steeler, now again he has Russell Wilson shadowing him and knowing his new team could draft an additional quarterback next month.
“I do view myself as the starter,” Pickett said, original starter Deshaun Watson is dealing with an Achilles injury. “I’m sure they are going to bring in another veteran and who knows what else. I’m just excited to be here and compete with whoever.”
That whoever could be Wilson, although he left after a tour of their facility and meeting with Browns staffers Thursday without a contract.
It could be a rookie, Cleveland has the number two overall pick in next month’s NFL Draft and have options available especially if the Titans select a position other than quarterback.
He knows enough now to just control what he can control. Pickett said he has no say in what might happen. So, his approach?
“My job is simple,” Pickett said. “I just go play quarterback.”
The 26-year-old said he knew there was a possibility he could be traded, but Cleveland was a bit of a surprise. He feels that he had some ‘pretty good tape’ in the two games he played in last season.
“It’s a great environment to play in as a player,” Pickett said Thursday. “Anytime you are in an AFC North divisional game, there is a different feel in the stadium. I can’t really describe it to you. Being a player, playing in different games and being in the North and playing a divisional game. There is a lot more on the line. The fans really do care. They are really passionate about the teams and want to see their teams do well. As a player, it’s an honor to play in a stadium like that.”
He said he’s faced a lot of adversity and he’s learned it’s just about finding a way to win in the NFL. It doesn’t matter what the game looks like, it’s walking out of a stadium with your teammates pulling together for a win.
“It’s going to be great,” Pickett said. “The AFC North is very competitive. Playing in it in my first two years in the League, I understood that quickly. The games aren’t always pretty, it’s a violent style of football. I’m excited to get back into it.”
“I think it’s a great opportunity to compete again. That’s all you can ask for and that’s what I was told coming in here and having an opportunity to compete again.”
Interesting he used the phrase, that’s ‘what I was told’. You can imagine over his time in the NFL and leading to playing in the NFL, he was told a lot of things, much of which didn’t come true. Pickett does believe having the opportunity to play for the Eagles was critical. He said seeing the game through their lens, being able to learn from different players and just improve, is big for his game.
Pickett wants a chance to compete. There are variables to if he will get that chance, but he starts now with a shot in Cleveland.