The limelight isn’t new for 26-year-old quarterback Kenny Pickett. His infamous “fake slide” in 2021 at Pitt triggered a rule change, now known as the Kenny Pickett Rule, that outlawed deceptive slides. Pickett owned the moment on social media, tweeting, “Changed the game! #H2P.” But while rules and rosters continue to evolve around him, Pickett’s goal remains fixed: getting to the Super Bowl. “Every place does it differently, but the ultimate goal is to be [at the Super Bowl],” Pickett said recently, making clear that his mindset is locked in. After a turbulent stint in Philadelphia, he now enters a new chapter in Cleveland, hoping to reset the narrative.

The 2025 draft season wrapped, and Kenny Pickett faced a new chapter and a new locker room. The Eagles agreed to trade him to the Browns. In return, Philadelphia received quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick, No. 164 overall. The move shook things up but also opened fresh doors for Pickett to prove himself in a new environment. “I just think it’s a great opportunity to go compete again,” Pickett said. “That’s really all you can ask for. That’s what I was told here, coming in here, having an opportunity to compete again. So I’m very excited for that.”

But Kenny’s transition into the Browns locker room was never going to be easy. Even though Pickett is “excited” to share the field with Sanders, there won’t be a fairytale competition. He has to prove himself worthy of QB1, going head-to-head with the explosive Sanders. 

Fortunately for Kenny Pickett, he is not alone at a new place; he has a strong ally in Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski praised him openly. “Kenny’s an interesting, young player. When that trade happened, I got a call, immediately, from (Pitt) coach Narduzzi and he loves him…I can see what he loves about him.” Stefanski’s confidence adds fuel to Pickett’s fire as he adjusts to a new offense and teammates.

Pickett’s time with the Eagles was tough, slowed by a rib injury that cut his play short. Over five games, including one start, he completed 25 of 42 passes for 291 yards. He threw two touchdowns and one interception. His best outing came against the Cowboys, going 10-of-15 for 143 yards and a touchdown with a stellar 119.6 passer rating. Despite the challenges, Pickett showed flashes of clutch pocket presence and smart decision-making that could soon pay off.

Kevin Stefanski: the ultimate rookie protector

Coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t just standing guard for Kenny Pickett against critics; he’s also backing all the rookies. The Browns’ locker room is filled with fresh faces, each boasting impressive college stats. But Stefanski knows fans should not expect instant success at the pro level. It’s a whole different ballgame. He keeps it real about rookie progress. “It takes time. So, I like the attitude of these rookies where they understand there’s work to be put in,” Stefanski said. “I know everybody kind of slept pretty well last night, which is good, and then we’ll get another good day tomorrow. But they’re really – they’re taking coaching, which I appreciate.”

Stefanski shared his thoughts on The Dawgs Podcast, reminding fans not to overreact to practice clips. “You need the full picture of these guys. We’re practicing. You can’t overreact to anything. Anything you see, whether it’s good or bad, we can’t overreact even as coaches.” It’s all part of building trust in the process. This really paints the picture of a supportive coach who doesn’t lend his ears to critics. 

He also highlighted the learning curve rookies face. Mistakes are expected, but what matters is how they respond. “We’re looking for how the rookies respond to those mistakes, and they are able to correct a mistake on the next rep?” Stefanski said. Adaptability is key in this fast-paced league.

Even after Browns’ rookie camp, Stefanski couldn’t stop praising the draft class. “It takes time. So, I like the attitude of these rookies where they understand there’s work to be put in. I know everybody kind of slept pretty well last night, which is good, and then we’ll get another good day tomorrow. But they’re really – they’re taking coaching, which I appreciate.” The Browns are clearly building something for the long haul.

The locker room reconstruction came after the disappointing 2024 Cleveland Browns season. The year was a tough one. The team battled with inconsistent quarterback play, especially after Deshaun Watson suffered a second Achilles tendon rupture. These combined issues left the Browns unable to find momentum, resulting in a poor record. The season exposed major challenges the team must address moving forward in the 2025 season.