Panthers Sign QB Kenny Pickett to One-Year Deal

The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms on Monday with free-agent quarterback Kenny Pickett on a one-year contract worth up to $7.5 million, including $4 million in guaranteed money, positioning him as a potential upgrade to their backup role behind starter Bryce Young. The deal, first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, cannot be officially signed until 4 p.m. Wednesday, when the NFL's new league year begins.

Pickett, the 27-year-old former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, joins his fifth NFL team in as many seasons. He spent the 2025 season as a backup with the Las Vegas Raiders, appearing in six games with two starts. In those outings, he completed 28 of 45 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, achieving a 62.2 percent completion rate and averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. Earlier that year, Pickett was traded twice: first from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Cleveland Browns before training camp, where he lost a competition for the starting job to Joe Flacco, and then to the Raiders ahead of Week 1.

His NFL journey began with promise in Pittsburgh, where he served as the starter for two seasons, compiling a 16-11 career record in 27 starts,...