The Cleveland Browns’ season appears all but over at 2-8, with the surging Pittsburgh Steelers set to visit for “Thursday Night Football” in a few days. With their playoff hopes effectively gone, the Browns can shift focus from the disaster of 2024 to what might be an equally troubling 2025.
At the heart of Cleveland’s challenges is quarterback Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed $230 million contract, which will carry a $73 million salary cap hit in each of the next two years.
Trading the contract is not an option, forcing the team to explore ways to secure a cost-effective quarterback solution to remain competitive. Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been marred by injuries and underwhelming performances, further complicating their situation.
One potential path is drafting a rookie quarterback next April. If the draft were held today, the Browns would hold the third overall pick, positioning them to select one of the top prospects.
However, the 2025 quarterback class is seen as less talented compared to recent drafts, and selecting a quarterback outside the top 10 would be significantly cheaper—an important consideration given Watson’s financial burden.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders also enters the discussion, but his father and coach, Deion Sanders, has warned he might intervene if an unfit franchise attempts to draft his son.
While it’s unclear if Cleveland falls into this category, their long-standing struggles at quarterback and lack of consistent success don’t work in their favor.
Given these complexities, the Browns might consider the free agent or trade markets next spring. One intriguing option proposed by Cleveland cap specialist Jack Duffin involves trading for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Duffin suggests Cousins could waive his no-trade clause due to his past relationship with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski.
Cousins’ deal, worth $180 million over four years (with $100 million guaranteed), could be restructured to create a manageable $6.5 million cap hit in 2025. This figure is comparable to the salary of a quarterback drafted around 10th overall, offering Cleveland a more affordable veteran option.
Cousins, who worked with Stefanski during their time in Minnesota, remains a capable quarterback at age 36. He has thrown for 2,807 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions this season, leading the Falcons to a 6-5 record.
If the Browns pursue Cousins, he could serve as their starter in 2025 and potentially bridge the gap for a younger quarterback in 2026, giving Cleveland a path back to playoff contention.
