On Sports: Kenny Pickett, Diontae Johnson get started at Browns minicamp; another hard-luck loss for Mitch Keller

Highlighted by Aaron Rodgers meeting the Pittsburgh press for the first time Tuesday, as well as T.J. Watt’s absence, Day 1 of Steelers minicamp contained plenty of notable storylines.

But in Wednesday’s On Sports, we take a glance across the AFC North to Berea, Ohio, where the Cleveland Browns got underway with their own mandatory minicamp and it revealed some interesting happenings — in particular concerning two former Steelers: quarterback Kenny Picket and receiver Diontae Johnson.

Plus, the dichotomy between Pirates starter Mitch Keller’s quality starts and losses this season was on full display as the Pirates fell to Miami at PNC Park.

Browns QB battle

The Browns’ quarterback battle, featuring the likes of Joe Flacco, Pickett, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, has now begun. (Deshaun Watson is currently sidelined following a second Achilles tear suffered in January. His status for 2025 remains uncertain).

That competition appears to be wide open, with 2025 NFL Draft picks Sanders (Colorado) and Gabriel (Oregon) looking to assert themselves while splitting reps with Flacco, a 40-year-old veteran and Pickett, seeking a career resurgence after spending last season with the Eagles, winning a Super Bowl LIX ring as Jalen Hurts’ backup.

On the year, Pickett played in five games (one start), completing 25-of-42 passes for 291 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

It’s far too early to know how things will pan out at quarterback for the Browns.

Coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Tuesday that at this opening stage of minicamp, he’s trying to split quarterback reps to get as much of an evaluation on his room as possible.

That’s predictable enough of an approach, especially given that Sanders and Gabriel are rookies.

D.J. arrives

As Stefanski observed his quarterbacks, he also got a first look at a new member of his wide receiving corps: Diontae Johnson.

The 28-year-old wideout, who played from 2019-23 with the Steelers, reported to Browns minicamp Tuesday.

Said Stefanski of his first impressions: “Diontae’s doing a nice job. Obviously getting up to speed with terminology and those types of things, and I think we’ll just continue to work. But it’s good to have him out here.”

Johnson signed a bargain-basement one-year, $1.17 million deal with Cleveland for 2025 at the end of April.

Like Pickett, he looks to get his career back on track following his departure from the Steelers organization via trade to Carolina last March.

The 2024 campaign was a whirlwind for Johnson.

By year’s end, he’d suited up for the Panthers, Ravens and Texans, ending the year with a brief second stint in Baltimore.

In 12 games played, he made 33 catches for 357 yards and two scores, easily his least productive NFL season.

Johnson and Pickett were seen connecting through the air Tuesday at Browns minicamp:

And Pickett ➡️ Diontae Johnson https://t.co/rtkA687TvC pic.twitter.com/RTikOJLvhx

— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) June 10, 2025

Wild Keller stat

Pirates starter Mitch Keller was on the hill Tuesday at PNC Park in an eventual 3-2 defeat to the Marlins.

Keller (1-9, 4.15 ERA), who allowed three runs over six innings, striking out four with eight hits and zero walks, was charged with the loss, his ninth of the season.

While the Pirates battled back in the eighth inning, courtesy of solo homers from Ke’Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz, a ninth-inning rally came up short, condemning Keller to yet another loss on his record.

Across baseball, only Colorado’s Antonio Senzatela (1-10, 6.68 ERA) has lost more games.

However, Keller also picked up his 10th quality start of the year Tuesday and, in that regard, he ranks tied for second in MLB. (Teammate Paul Skenes is the leader with 11.)

While Keller’s 4.15 ERA isn’t exactly stellar, more often than not, he’s kept the Pirates in games and given them a chance to win.

Unfortunately for his individual stat line, the Pirates’ bats haven’t done him many favors when he pitches.