The Cleveland Browns will have significant quarterback decisions this offseason, and keeping running out Deshaun Watson for another season is not an option.
The 29-year-old has done nothing in three seasons with the team and has suffered two season-ending injuries: a shoulder injury in 2023 and an Achilles injury this year.
Cleveland is still paying Watson for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, but they must eat the cap space and ensure he never plays a snap for the team again.
There aren’t many rookie quarterback options during this year’s draft, and the Browns will probably wait until 2026 to draft a future player at that position. However, they will need a bridge quarterback for next year.
On Tuesday, the Atlanta Falcons moved off their starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, for rookie Michael Penix Jr., and now Cousins will most likely be looking for a new home this offseason.
Cleveland Browns Could Go After Kirk Cousins
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin published an article titled “Falcons bench Kirk Cousins: Logical landing spots for QB if Atlanta moves on after the 2024 NFL season, with the Browns as the number one option.”
San Francisco might be Cousins’ ideal next — and final — stop, but the Kyle Shanahan ship has probably sailed, with Brock Purdy offering the same level of system understanding and much more mobility, Benjamin wrote. The consolation prize could be a reunion with Kevin Stefanski, who was the Vikings offensive coordinator during Cousins’ first two years in Minnesota. Stefanski needs stability like no under, with polarizing starter Deshaun Watson saddled to ACL rehab with an uncertain long-term future. With Jerry Jeudy, a salvageable defense and a likely top-10 pick to fortify the line, they could theoretically return to relevance if Cousins is willing to take a minimum deal and restores some of his own confidence under Stefanski.
Cousins has had a rough season, throwing 18 touchdowns to 16 interceptions. The former Pro Bowl quarterback will be 37 next year, so there is a chance that Father Time is catching up with him.
At this point, the Browns should try to avoid signing Cousins and only sign him if it’s their last option.
Cleveland will need to find a new quarterback, but Cousins would not significantly improve the team’s offensive issues they’ve had this season.
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