Saints-Browns Blockbuster Trade Idea Brings Former 1st-Round QB To New Orleans

Saints-Browns Trade Proposal Sends Former 1st-Round QB to New Orleans

Could a former Pittsburgh first-round pick be heading to the Bayou?

The New Orleans Saints are facing significant uncertainty at quarterback following the retirement of veteran Derek Carr. With a QB room currently featuring Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener, the team’s quarterback situation is still up in the air. Shough, selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is expected to have the edge in the competition for the starting role.

However, even if Shough is named the starter, it’s likely the Saints would seek out a more experienced backup with greater upside than Rattler or Haener. While solid trade options might not be available in May, the picture could change as the preseason approaches.

In a recent article, Jaren Kawada of ClutchPoints suggested a potential trade target for New Orleans: Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett. The 26-year-old was a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 but struggled to meet expectations, eventually becoming a backup for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.

Kawada notes that with the Browns adding quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with veteran Joe Flacco already on the roster, competition for spots will be intense. With Gabriel unlikely to be released as a third-round pick, one of Flacco or Sanders could be cut during roster cuts, making Pickett potentially expendable.

“If that happens, Cleveland would likely be open to sending Pickett to New Orleans,” Kawada wrote. “While he isn’t a long-term solution, Pickett could serve as a bridge quarterback, providing some experience until the Saints figure out their future with either Shough or another option.”

Pickett’s career has been up and down, with a 15-10 starter record but a modest 79.3 passer rating and a 15-14 touchdown-to-interception ratio. While some Saints fans might not be excited about the prospect of him starting in 2025, a veteran quarterback with some experience could still offer a boost to the locker room as New Orleans navigates its QB dilemma.