As the Cleveland Browns kick off their mandatory training camp, one lingering question remains in the spotlight: Who will take the first snap in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals? The contenders are a diverse group: Kenny Pickett, a seasoned pro who won a Super Bowl as a backup; 17-year veteran Joe Flacco; and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
It’s rare to see four quarterbacks competing for a starting position in the NFL, and this situation has raised eyebrows regarding the team’s direction. After a brutal season with just three wins, the uncertainty must weigh heavily on veteran players like Myles Garrett, David Njoku, Jack Conklin, and Joel Bitonio. This offseason feels like a make-or-break moment for the franchise, which is desperate to turn things around-something they’ve been trying to do forever.
A Trade Rumor Shakes Up Camp
Just when the quarterback debate seemed to have reached its peak, a new twist hit the Browns’ camp: Kirk Cousins might be on the move. The 36-year-old veteran showed up for the Atlanta Falcons’ mandatory minicamp this week but was bumped to backup status after Michael Penix Jr. claimed the starting job last season.
Now, Cousins and his agent seem to be looking for a trade, and Cleveland keeps coming up. Why? Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has a history with Cousins, having coached him for two years in Minnesota-first as quarterbacks coach and then as offensive coordinator. That familiarity could be the spark for a blockbuster deal.
If the trade happens, it would shake up Cleveland’s quarterback room. The Browns might see Cousins as the battle-tested leader they need to succeed in the competitive AFC North. Meanwhile, Atlanta could offload Cousins’s hefty contract by covering $17.5 million of his guaranteed 2025 salary and acquiring Pickett as a backup for Penix. If the deal falls through, Cousins would likely compete with Flacco for the top spot, while Sanders and Gabriel wait their turn.
Experience counts for a lot with a team like the Browns, who have cycled through 40 starting quarterbacks since 1999-more than any other team in that span-with only Tim Couch and Baker Mayfield surviving a full season. A midseason switch? Don’t bet against it.
Cousins’ Potential Impact in Cleveland
If Cousins ends up in Cleveland, he could bring more than just stability; he might rediscover his prime. Back in Minnesota under Stefanski, he achieved a career-high 70.1% completion rate in 2018. Over two years, he amassed 7,901 yards, 56 touchdowns, and only 16 interceptions, and he even led the Vikings to the divisional round-their farthest playoff advance since 2009.
For the Browns, who have made only three playoff appearances this century, won only one playoff game, and had a 0-16 season in 2017, Cousins’s resume could be a lifeline. Cousins, who sits fourth all-time in career earnings at $331 million (behind only Matthew Stafford among active players), knows how to deliver when the pieces fit.
The Browns have struggled with their quarterbacks for years, but Cousins could be the one to turn things around-or at least keep them afloat until the rookies are ready. With Stefanski in his corner, the Dawg Pound might finally have something to bark about.
Read the full article here
