Cleveland Browns Linked to Big Quarterback Trade Before 2025 Season

The Cleveland Browns are set to begin NFL training camp later this month with a four-man quarterback competition. At this point, no one has any clue who the starting quarterback will be come Week 1.

Joe Flacco appears to be the front-runner right now, but that could change at any moment. Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel are all heavily in the running as well. Kevin Stefanski will have his work cut out for him during the training camp and preseason period.

While those four quarterbacks are ready to compete against each other, could the Browns consider adding a name to the roster? That is exactly what one NFL writer has suggested.

Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Cleveland has been connected to a big trade for a veteran quarterback.

Cleveland Browns Linked to Big Quarterback Trade Before 2025 Season

Cory Woodroof of For The Win has suggested the Browns pulling off a trade for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. They have been connected to Cousins on multiple different occasions this offseason as well.

“If Cleveland is serious about winning in 2025, swinging a trade for Cousins is the clearest path. Cousins isn’t quite as potent as his best days in Minnesota, but he proved with Atlanta in 2024 that he can still be a solid starting quarterback when healthy,” Woodroof wrote.

“If the Browns come to the conclusion we think they will, Cousins and his former Minnesota offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski will reunite in the Dawg Pound to compete in the AFC North. Cleveland could send one of its veteran quarterbacks (Kenny Pickett?) back to the Falcons to back up Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta could also try and get a run-stuffing defensive tackle as part of the deal as opposed to a draft pick.”

Cousins is coming off of a 2024 season with the Falcons that saw him start under center for most of the season. However, he was replaced by rookie signal caller Michael Penix Jr. late in the year.

He played in 14 games, completing 66.9 percent of his pass attempts for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Obviously, the turnover numbers were concerning, but he was playing in his first season removed from a torn Achilles.

More than likely, Cleveland won’t pursue another trade for a quarterback. The Browns have plenty of options on the roster and will need to figure out what they have in both Sanders and Gabriel.

Even though Cousins can’t be written completely off as a potential trade target, Cleveland acquiring him would be a major surprise.