The Cleveland Browns are exploring options at quarterback, with Kirk Cousins emerging as a potential target if the Atlanta Falcons release him. The team is facing a dilemma due to Deshaun Watson's hefty contract, which has made finding a suitable replacement challenging. The Browns are considering all veteran quarterbacks with starting talent and are expected to hold a competition for the starting job next season.
The bar for quarterback play is so low in Cleveland that another team’s benched disaster may be the best option for the Browns.
The source said the team is expected to look into “any veteran with starter’s talent” and said the “working theory” in NFL circles is the team attempts to hold a competition for the starting job next seasonThe Browns are paying the price for their decision to fully guarantee Watson’s $230 million contract since the 29-year-old is no longer an elite quarterback and, one could argue, barely a starter.
The Browns could owe $92 million in cash and receive $119 million in dead salary cap if they cut Watson after June 1 and $173 million in cap space if before then, per ESPN.However, they can look to follow what Pittsburgh did this offseason with Russell Wilson in terms of offering a potential starting job to a quarterback being paid by another team .
“Holding on just because of the money will only prolong the inevitable,” an NFL national scout told ESPN. “You saw what Denver did, and they are doing OK. The Browns would just have to do that on a bigger scale.”But there are questions about this quarterback class and the Browns could use help all over the roster. The Browns could also, in theory, have Cousins and Watson guide a touted prospect.
NFL Cleveland Browns Kirk Cousins Deshaun Watson Atlanta Falcons
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