Since the Cleveland Browns 2024 season ended in Baltimore Maryland on January 4th with a disappointing 3-14 record. Speculation on the offseason continues into Super Bowl weekend. Stories about the dysfunction of the 2024 season were published by the Athletic Website. The $230 million dollar bust of a quarterback Deshaun Watson reinjured and retore his Achilles Tendon. How he reinjured himself is still being debated. The best player on the team, defensive end Myles Garrett publicly asked for the team to trade him to a contender. Despite this offseason turmoil both general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski are still with the team and have a job to do. With uncertainty at the quarterback position, which moves make the most sense for the Cleveland Browns moving forward into 2025.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to receive a $10 million dollar roster bonus on 3/17/2025.He is expected to be released on 3/16/2025 making him an unrestricted free agent. While Atlanta is still paying his guaranteed salary another NFL team can sign him for the veterans’ league minimum. This is similar to the Russell Wilson 2024 deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cleveland Browns could very well do the exact same deal with Kirk Cousins, this would cost them no draft picks and have a minimal salary cap hit. But there are other reasons to sign him for the Cleveland Browns.

Kirk Cousins does have a history with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski was the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings while Kirk Cousins played quarterback there. A veteran bridge quarterback will be essential for the Cleveland Browns to start the offseason retooling in 2025. While I do expect the Browns to draft a quarterback in the NFL draft next April. That quarterback will need to learn from a veteran that knows Stefanski’ s offense. Who else would better know that offense than Kirk Cousins.