Following his arrival earlier this year, most have assumed that Sam Howell will enter the upcoming 2025 NFL season as the No. 2 quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. However, not everyone is completely sold on Howell securing that role with the Vikings this summer.
During a recent episode of SKOR North’s “Purple Daily” show, Judd Zulgad talked about how the Vikings need to make sure they have a backup behind J.J. McCarthy who is capable of winning games with all the talent the team has on its roster this year.
“This is a team that is built to win. This is not a team where if McCarthy goes out [with an injury], you just punt [the season]. So keep an eye on the backup QB.”
A little later, Zulgad suggested current Cleveland Browns signal-caller Kenny Pickett as someone Minnesota could trade for before the start of the 2025 season if the team isn’t happy with Howell as their No. 2 option.
“As a reliable backup. I think a Kenny Pickett trade is in the cards.
…I’m not asking for a Pro Bowl backup, just to be very clear. I’m just asking for a backup who, if McCarthy tweaks a knee or hurts a shoulder or something like that, doesn’t sink the ship, and I’m not entirely sure that I trust Sam Howell to captain the ship.”
Trade Background
The Cleveland Browns have had a busy offseason restructuring their quarterback room, acquiring Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade in March 2025. In addition to Pickett, the Browns signed Joe Flacco and drafted two young quarterbacks, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, with Deshaun Watson’s injury and fierce competition in the quarterback room, the Browns appear to be considering trading Pickett to refine their roster ahead of training camp.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings are looking to bolster their quarterback position following a severe injury to JJ McCarthy during the 2024 preseason. With Sam Darnold as the starter and Nick Mullens as the backup, the Vikings need a reliable option to ensure roster depth. Kenny Pickett, with his experience from the Pittsburgh Steelers and a season as a backup to Jalen Hurts with the Eagles, is seen as an ideal candidate.
Why Are the Vikings Interested in Kenny Pickett?
Kenny Pickett, a former first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, was highly touted after an impressive college career at the University of Pittsburgh. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was a Heisman Trophy candidate. In two seasons with the Steelers, Pickett posted a 14-10 record as a starter, completing 62.4% of his passes for 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. While he didn’t fully meet expectations, Pickett is regarded as a smart game manager, well-suited for teams with a stable offensive system.
In Philadelphia, Pickett served as a backup but gained valuable insights from the Eagles’ professional environment, a team that won Super Bowl LIX. He has shared that his time in Philly helped him better understand how a top-tier team operates. For the Vikings, Pickett could be a fitting option to compete with Darnold or serve as a high-quality backup, especially given the team’s current lack of stability at the position.
What Could the Browns Gain?
According to reports, the Browns may be looking to move Pickett to create opportunities for their rookie quarterbacks, Gabriel and Sanders, while also easing the financial burden of Deshaun Watson’s contract. In this potential trade, the Browns could seek a mid-round draft pick or a player in a position of need, such as a cornerback or a quality defensive player from the Vikings.
On the Vikings’ side, the team is reportedly willing to offer a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick, along with a reserve player, in exchange for Pickett. With the connection between Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who previously worked together in Minnesota, negotiations could proceed smoothly.
Impact on the 2025 Season
If this trade materializes, it could bring significant changes for both teams:
For the Vikings: Pickett could provide the necessary competition in the quarterback room, ensuring stability if Darnold underperforms. Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system, which emphasizes short and accurate passes, could be an ideal environment for Pickett to showcase his game-management skills.
For the Browns: Trading Pickett would allow Cleveland to focus on developing their young talents, Gabriel and Sanders, while acquiring draft assets to address other roster gaps, such as the offensive line or running back positions.
Fan Reactions
Vikings fans have previously expressed excitement about Pickett, with a Reddit post from the Vikings community in 2022 calling for the team to draft him. Given his experience and potential, it’s no surprise that Minnesota fans are buzzing about this potential “blockbuster” trade. Meanwhile, in Cleveland, some believe the Browns are trying to inflate Pickett’s value to maximize their return before he leaves the team.
Conclusion
The rumored trade of Kenny Pickett between the Vikings and Browns has sparked excitement across the NFL community. With the Vikings’ urgent need at quarterback and Cleveland’s surplus of talent, this could be a win-win move for both sides. Will Minnesota seize this opportunity to create a “storm” on the field in the 2025 season? Only time will tell.