Green Bay, WI – The Green Bay Packers are actively exploring ways to strengthen their quarterback depth behind Jordan Love. With Malik Willis serving as the current No. 2, the front office has reportedly opened conversations with the Cleveland Browns about a potential trade.
The move comes as analysts warn that the Packers cannot risk another stretch of games without Love. Even though Willis has shown flashes, there are growing calls for Green Bay to bring in a more experienced fallback option who can run the offense at a higher level.
That’s where Kenny Pickett enters the discussion. Once a collegiate “sensation” at Pitt with more than 12,000 yards and 100 touchdowns, Pickett was drafted 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. Expectations were sky-high, but his NFL path has been uneven.
In Pittsburgh, he logged 25 appearances, completing 62.6% of his passes for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The Steelers pivoted in 2024 after signing Russell Wilson, dealing Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he saw limited late-season action.
Packers, Browns in Talks to Trade Kenny Pickett pic.twitter.com/GzVYkcuUEK
— Adam Schetfer (@fanhub_nfl) September 27, 2025
Pickett later moved to Cleveland, but a preseason hamstring injury erased his chance to compete in a crowded quarterback room featuring Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The Browns soon considered him expendable and floated his name on the trade block.
Meanwhile, Malik Willis remains a polarizing figure in Green Bay. He won both of his spot starts in 2024, completing 25-of-33 passes with two touchdowns and adding 114 rushing yards and another score. Despite efficiency, many still doubt his long-term ceiling.
USA Today’s Nate Davis summed it up: “Maybe Willis is ready, maybe not. But if Love went down for six weeks, wouldn’t you rather have someone like Pickett who’s been through it?”
His comments have fueled speculation that Green Bay might act before the November 4 deadline.
A deal would likely require a mid-round draft pick, something the Browns could accept given their current quarterback surplus. For the Packers, it would be less about Pickett’s résumé and more about having a reliable fallback plan if disaster strikes.
Whether Kenny Pickett can revive his career in Green Bay or simply add another stop to his turbulent NFL journey remains to be seen. But for now, his name is firmly back in the trade conversation.
