Insider offers update on Browns, Kirk Cousins rumors amid Steelers' uncertainty

Numerous noteworthy individuals poured cold water over the idea of the Cleveland Browns acquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons this spring, even before Cleveland brought fan-favorite Joe Flacco back to the organization to compete with Kenny Pickett and a to-be-drafted rookie for its starting job. 

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers began the second Monday of April still not knowing if Aaron Rodgers will ultimately decide to sign a deal with them anytime soon. 

On Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated addressed whether Cousins could end the month as a member of either of those AFC North clubs. 

"Where could Cousins go? I think Cleveland is a lot less likely now, but not completely impossible," Breer said. "The other team I’d pay attention to is the Pittsburgh Steelers if Aaron Rodgers decides not to go there. How he fits there, with the strong personalities in that locker room, and on offense in particular, is a fair question. But you don’t have to squint too hard to envision a marriage of convenience between two sides who, once the dust settles on Rodgers, may need each other."

Shortly after a report emerged claiming that New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr could miss at least a portion of the 2025 season because of a shoulder injury, some suggested Rodgers could be an option for that organization. Additionally, many league insiders believe the Saints will make Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders the ninth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

That's noteworthy because Cousins has a full no-trade clause attached to his contract and reportedly isn't keen on joining a team that takes a signal-caller in the first round of this year's draft after he lost the Atlanta starting job to 2024 rookie Michael Penix Jr. this past December. 

"Cousins is serious about wielding his no-trade clause to prevent a move before the draft," Breer added. 

There's no indication ahead of the draft that any team is in a rush to trade for Cousins, eat a portion of his salary and name him its starter for the 2025 season. However, the Steelers could become desperate to make a move if they end the draft with longtime backup Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson as the advertised best quarterbacks on the roster. 

Cousins will almost certainly have to accept either serving as Penix's backup or mentoring a rookie while starting for a different club later this year. Perhaps he'll eventually welcome joining the Steelers if they don't sign Rodgers and grab a project for the future on the final day of the upcoming player-selection process.