Kenny Pickett is a name that has become synonymous with the "NFL trade carousel" lately. If you’re asking what team is kenny pickett on, you probably remember him in Steelers black and gold, or maybe you saw a highlight of him in an Eagles jersey last year.
But things move fast.
As of January 2026, Kenny Pickett is currently on the Las Vegas Raiders.
He didn't just walk into Vegas as a free agent, though. It's been a wild ride involving three different teams in just two years. For a former first-round pick, that’s usually a red flag, but the context matters. Let's look at how he ended up in the desert and what his future looks like now that the 2025-2026 regular season has wrapped up.
The Long Road to Las Vegas
Kenny Pickett’s journey to the Raiders is honestly one of the weirdest roster sagas in recent memory.
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After the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to move on and sign Russell Wilson in early 2024, Pickett was shipped off to the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent the 2024 season there as a backup to Jalen Hurts. He actually got a Super Bowl ring out of it when the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX, even though he only started one game (a massive blowout win against the Cowboys, if you're keeping score).
Then the 2025 offseason hit, and the trades didn't stop.
First, the Eagles traded him to the Cleveland Browns in March 2025. It looked like he might compete for a starting job there, but he suffered a hamstring injury during training camp. While he was sidelined, Joe Flacco—the ageless wonder—took over the room.
By August 2025, the Browns realized they had too many quarterbacks. On the other side of the country, the Raiders were panicking because Aidan O'Connell had just fractured his wrist.
The Raiders traded a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Browns to get Pickett.
Basically, Pickett has played for three different teams in less than 12 months. It’s a lot of playbooks to learn.
What Team is Kenny Pickett On Right Now?
Right now, he's finishing his stint with the Raiders. But there’s a catch.
Pickett is officially an unrestricted free agent heading into the 2026 offseason. His rookie contract—the one he signed back in 2022 with Pittsburgh—is expiring. Because the Browns (his previous team) declined his fifth-year option before trading him, he is scheduled to hit the open market on March 11, 2026.
Here is a quick look at his 2025 season with the Silver and Black:
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- Role: Primarily the backup to Geno Smith.
- Stats: He appeared in six games and started two.
- Performance: It was a struggle. He threw for 188 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions over the course of the season.
- Team Record: The Raiders finished the 2025 season at 2-15, which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement for anyone on that roster.
Why the Steelers Connection Still Matters
Even though Pickett hasn't played for Pittsburgh in years, his name keeps coming up in Pennsylvania.
Steelers fans are currently looking at the 2026 NFL Draft and seeing mock drafts that pair them with Alabama QB Ty Simpson. Sports writers are already calling this the "Kenny Pickett route all over again." The fear in Pittsburgh is that the team might reach for a mid-tier quarterback prospect just because they need a starter, which is exactly how many feel about the original Pickett selection at No. 20 overall.
It's a cautionary tale. Pickett had the "pro-ready" label, but the lack of elite arm strength and the inability to stay with one system has turned him into a journeyman at just 27 years old.
What’s Next for Kenny Pickett in 2026?
So, we know what team is kenny pickett on today, but where will he be in September?
Since he is an unrestricted free agent, the Raiders have to decide if they want to bring him back as a cheap backup or let him walk. Given their 2-15 record and the fact that they hold a top pick in the 2026 draft, they are almost certainly going to draft a new "franchise" quarterback.
Pickett’s realistic path forward looks like this:
- Backup Market: He has 27 career starts. Teams like the Jets or the Rams often look for experienced backups who can hold down the fort for a game or two.
- The "Bridge" Role: A team with a rookie quarterback might sign him to a one-year deal to act as a mentor and a safety net.
- The Raiders Return: If the price is right, Las Vegas might keep him around just because he knows the building, but it’s unlikely he’d be the starter.
Honestly, Pickett's value has taken a hit. His 2025 passer rating of 60.2 with the Raiders was a career-low. He’s shown he can win—he was 15-10 as a starter before the 2025 disaster—but he hasn't shown he can carry a bad team.
If you’re a fan or a collector, keep an eye on the legal tampering window in March. That's when we'll finally know if "what team is kenny pickett on" will have a brand new answer for the fourth time in three years. For now, he remains a Raider, albeit one with an expiring ID card.
The best move for Pickett is likely finding a stable offensive coordinator who doesn't get fired mid-season. He needs a system, not just a jersey.
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Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the NFL Free Agency tracker starting March 11, 2026, to see where Pickett signs.
- Monitor the 2026 NFL Draft order; if the Raiders take a QB at No. 1 or No. 2, Pickett is almost certainly gone.
- Watch for reports on Aidan O'Connell's recovery; if he's healthy, the Raiders may feel they don't need to re-sign Pickett as a veteran backup.