Kirk Cousins is expected to be on his way out of the Atlanta Falcons organization just a year after signing a four-year, $180 million deal, and discussions about a potential move have begun to heat up.
One analyst predicts the veteran quarterback could be headed to the Cleveland Browns, who need a signal-caller after finishing dead last in PFSN’s Offense+ last season.
Kirk Cousins to Cleveland Browns ‘Makes a Ton of Sense’
The Falcons signed Cousins hoping to bring a Super Bowl to Atlanta but benched him in favor of rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. He ranked 28th in the league over the preceding four weeks as injuries took their toll on the aging passer.
Cousins struggled when operating under pressure and in clutch spots all season, with a -0.44 EPA/DB when pressured (26th). His nYPA of 7.3 ranked ninth, but he was also 11th in YAC/Cp at 5.6, finishing overall 24th in PFSN’s QB+ metric.
While it’s not surprising that Cousins, 36, isn’t at his best, he still managed to throw for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns in the regular season. USA Today’s Cory Woodroof believes the Cleveland Browns making a move for him would make a lot of sense.
“After the Atlanta Falcons inevitably release quarterback Kirk Cousins, he will have his share of suitors. A reunion with his former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland with the Browns makes a ton of sense.
“Cousins would have a steady offensive line and a solid group of pass-catchers waiting for him in Cleveland and a coach who knows his game well. Cousins might not have that much left in the tank, but he could close out his career as a starter on his terms with the Browns. Perhaps he gets the team going again like Joe Flacco did in 2023?”
The Browns have a No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and are suspected to be eyeing Colorado’s Travis Hunter, but Woodroof has them trading that pick if they go with Cousins. And it makes a lot of sense too.
In addition to Cousins’ healthy relationship with Stefanski, Cleveland might get the quarterback on a veteran minimum salary, a significant relief for a team with recent struggles with the cap and accumulating draft capital.
However, it’s not guaranteed that Atlanta will move on from Cousins. It could very well be in their best interest to keep him on the roster to act as a mentor and strong backup to Penix. Cousins has largely been praised as a strong leader, meaning he will contribute positively regardless of his role.