Reporters revive trade rumors linking Browns with Falcons' Kirk Cousins

A Wednesday report claimed that rookie Shedeur Sanders could "100 percent" be named the Cleveland Browns' Week 1 starting quarterback over fellow first-year pro Dillon Gabriel, veteran Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett after Cleveland plays its final game of the preseason. 

Also on Wednesday, national NFL insider Jeremy Fowler and Atlanta Falcons reporter Marc Raimondi of ESPN revived an old trade rumor linking the Browns with Atlanta backup signal-caller Kirk Cousins.

Specifically, Fowler suggested that the Browns could send Pickett, a 2026 sixth-round draft pick and cash considerations to the Falcons for Cousins and a 2026 seventh-round choice. 

"After going through (organized team activities) and minicamp, the Browns might realize they need another veteran to compete for the starting job," Fowler explained. "...The Falcons could strike a deal where they front $17.5M of Cousins' guaranteed money for 2025, and Pickett would be Atlanta's new QB2."

Before the Browns restructured their quarterback room via multiple offseason moves, numerous reporters and analysts believed the club could complete a trade for Cousins due to his relationship with Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski was Cousins' quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator when the two were previously employed by the Minnesota Vikings.

The Falcons are now moving forward with 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. as their starter. Meanwhile, Cousins may not find an opportunity to start for a team other than the Browns if the Pittsburgh Steelers sign free agent Aaron Rodgers at some point this spring or summer. 

"For the Falcons, they get Pickett, who showed with the Eagles last season that he could be a serviceable backup," Raimondi added. "Most importantly for Atlanta, it would be relieved of $10M of Cousins' 2025 guaranteed money. Meanwhile, he would be reunited with Stefanski and likely start in Cleveland over the rest of its QB options. A win for all."

On paper, Cousins would almost certainly be an upgrade over Flacco and Pickett as it pertains to the start of the 2025 season. Cousins may not love the idea of being asked to mentor both Sanders and Gabriel, but the 36-year-old could also realize that other teams are in no rush to trade for his services.

For whatever reasons, it sounds like Fowler believes the Browns could at least explore a trade for Cousins after Cleveland's three-day mandatory minicamp wraps up on June 12. One would think Stefanski would want the opportunity to name Cousins his Week 1 QB1 sooner rather than later if general manager Andrew Berry is serious about making such a move before players start reporting for training camp.