

It seems the Cleveland Browns have finally found some stability at the quarterback position after many years of struggling without a reliable player who could even begin to lead them toward becoming a serious contender in the NFL.
The race for the starting role is open in Cleveland, as several players compete for this key offensive position. Amid this competition, the team’s new wide receiver, Diontae Johnson, believes that during the recent minicamp, one clear favorite began to emerge-at least from his perspective.
The wide receiver Johnson sees as having the best chance among the four currently in contention is Kenny Pickett, who, he says, is beginning to take the reins of the team heading into the 2025 season.
I think they are going to roll with Kenny [Pickett] for right now,”… “I’ve been seeing Kenny going like right now with the ones. Then Joe [Flacco] will come in.
Johnson said during an appearance on the Sports and Suits podcast
From Philadelphia to the Browns: Pickett’s Journey
Kenny Pickett arrives from the reigning NFL champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. He was traded to the Browns during the offseason, where he hopes to establish himself and gain the kind of consistency that would allow him to get meaningful minutes and find stability in the NFL.
Last year, Pickett went through a similar transition when he was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to Philadelphia during the preseason. When he first joined Mike Tomlin’s team via the 2022 Draft, expectations were high that he would be the missing piece-a playmaker who could lead the team to the playoffs and even contend for a Super Bowl berth. We all know how that story ended: a disappointing stint with his first NFL team.
With the Eagles, he started just one game, coming in as Jalen Hurts’ backup. In that lone start, his performance wasn’t bad-he completed 25 of 42 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Pickett can also say he played in Super Bowl LIX, in which the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. During the game, Pickett threw one incomplete pass, and on three other plays, he simply took a knee to help run out the clock and secure the victory-earning his first Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Now with his new team, he and Browns fans alike hope he can become a key contributor for Cleveland’s roster.
The Advantages Johnson Sees in Pickett as the Starter
Diontae Johnson, who played alongside Pickett in Pittsburgh, believes that the quarterback’s recent Super Bowl experience gives him an edge and a strong case to win the starting role for the upcoming season.
I think they are probably going to roll with him just to see, like coming off the season – he was with Philly and having a Super Bowl”… “So, I think they are going to stick with him through the preseason. Then, you know, they can live with what Joe comes and brings to the table.
Johnson said
Johnson didn’t go into detail on why he believes Pickett has an advantage over the other contenders-rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, as well as the veteran 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco.
Instead, Johnson may want to focus on his own consistency, as he was part of three different rosters in 2024. He was ultimately waived by the Baltimore Ravens after reportedly refusing to play in a game, citing a cold.
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