Kirk Cousins’ visit to Cleveland couldn’t have come at a trickier time. The Browns are actively searching for their next franchise quarterback, and his presence in town instantly sparked rumors he was in talks with the team.
Cousins reportedly wants out of Atlanta, which only fueled the speculation. But Browns general manager Andrew Berry didn’t waste time setting the record straight.
Browns GM Andrew Berry Dispels Kirk Cousins Trade Rumors
Cousins spent the day traveling across northern Ohio, visiting a few local spots. He grabbed lunch at Chipotle and had dinner at City Barbeque in Avon. That alone was enough to get Browns fans buzzing.
But with the rumors quickly spiraling, Berry stepped in to shut them down. He asserted that Cousins’ visit “had nothing to do with the Browns.”
It’s easy to see why fans started connecting the dots — especially with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who has been Cousins’ offensive coordinator in Minnesota. But even if Cousins wanted to meet with the Browns’ front office, he wouldn’t be allowed to.
His contract with the Falcons forbids contact with other teams unless he has official permission from Atlanta. At most, he could meet up with a Browns player, but no sign of that happening either.
#Browns GM Andrew Berry confirms what's been previously reported, that Kirk Cousins' visit to Cleveland last week (Chipotle, City BBQ) "had nothing to do with the #Browns."
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 30, 2025
Cousins’ visit might be a message to the Falcons that he’s still ready to start, especially with Michael Penix Jr. widely expected to take over that role. That could push Cousins to seek a trade or release — though any move involving Cleveland would likely wait until after the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Browns are reportedly eyeing Shedeur Sanders as their next franchise quarterback in the 2025 draft. There’s also buzz around the team being interested in free agent Aaron Rodgers. If a Rodgers deal happens, the Browns may shift their focus in the draft to another need.
According to PSFN’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the Browns are projected to take Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, who would pair nicely with newly signed Myles Garrett. If the Browns somehow come out of the draft still without a quarterback — which seems unlikely — Cousins could shoot his shot.