And just like that, the Browns are down to three quarterbacks on their roster.

Cleveland sent Kenny Pickett — a former first-round pick who will join his fourth team — to the Raiders in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick, allowing Shedeur Sanders to presumably climb one spot on the depth chart and all but solidifying his standing on the 53-man roster ahead of his rookie season.

Joe Flacco will remain Cleveland’s starter for now, but their unusual plan to initially keep four quarterbacks on their roster has shifted to a scenario where a rookie — either Dillon Gabriel or Sanders — will start if the Browns opt to make a change.

Kenny Pickett makes a throw during the Browns’ July 26 practice. Getty Images

The Raiders were in the market for a backup quarterback after Aidan O’Connell fractured his wrist during their final preseason game.

Pickett also made some NFL history in the deal, becoming the second quarterback in the last 30 years to get traded at least three times in his first four seasons, according to NFL Network — joining Sam Howell.

It marked the second quarterback move the Browns have made across the last two days, as they cut Tyler Huntley on Sunday and sounded content with their plan to carry four signal-callers on the roster.

Shedeur Sanders makes a throw during the Browns’ Aug. 23 preseason game. Getty Images

“Honestly, it’s not much of a decision for us,” general manager Andrew Berry said on the broadcast during their final preseason game Saturday. “All four guys have done what we’ve asked,” Berry said. “… We have a room that we like all the guys in there. We don’t really see that as a problem. We more see it as an opportunity.” 

But now Pickett will serve as Geno Smith’s backup in Las Vegas, marking his latest stop after the Steelers drafted him in 2022 and he started 24 games for Pittsburgh across two seasons before getting dealt to the Eagles for the 2024 campaign.

Sanders, who tumbled to the fifth round of April’s draft, completed 17-of-29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns during the preseason, and head coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated his commitment to Sanders’ development — and the development for all of his rookies — when asked about the narrative that he’s sabotaging Sanders.

Shedeur Sanders runs with the ball during the Browns’ preseason game Aug. 23. Getty Images

“Thanks everyone for the [love] and support,” Sanders wrote in an Instagram post Sunday. “There’s a lot to learn from this preseason, but I’m really thankful for the opportunity to be out there. Day by day, rep by rep, I’ll keep learning and getting better.”

The Browns open their season against the Bengals on Sept. 7.