If another veteran is traded, one team may have a comfortable seat for Kirk Cousins as their starter.
The Cleveland Browns are in Indianapolis for the start of the NFL Scouting Combine, with one task at the top of their to-do list for this offseason. What the team decides to do at quarterback will depend heavily upon their decision with the number two overall pick in the draft.
In addition to getting a look at the rookie options in the draft, they will also start conversations with agents regarding the upcoming free-agent quarterbacks or ones that could become available while they are in Indianapolis. One veteran QB that the Browns have been linked heavily to all offseason is Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons.
Cousins is technically still under contract with Atlanta, but the expectation is that he will be released before a $10m bonus becomes due on March 17th. Cleveland has been rumored as a potential landing spot for Cousins due to the Browns’ need for a cheaper option and his link to head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was the veteran’s offensive coordinator in Minnesota.
A new team may enter the Cousins sweepstakes if a potential domino falls in this game of quarterback musical chairs. The Los Angeles Rams recently gave Matt Stafford permission to speak with other teams, and he could be traded as a result.
While the Browns should explore what it would take to acquire Stafford, actually pulling it off would be too costly for the team due to the Deshaun Watson contract.
The Rams could have an interest in Cousins as a potential Stafford replacement. Coincidentally, head coach Sean McVay has also coached him in Washington earlier in their careers.
The opportunity to play under a roof, instead of outside in the elements of the AFC North, could be the deciding factor in where Cousins lands for the 2025 season.
What do you think? Could a trade of Stafford cause the Browns to miss out on both veteran options? Let us know in the comments below.