The Browns’ hiring of Kyle Shanahan to run their offense has fueled speculation that the Redskins’ former offensive coordinator could bring backup quarterback Kirk Cousins with him to Cleveland. However, despite a report indicating Cousins would be open to a trade, don’t expect the Browns to land him, according to Dianna Marie Russini of News4. Russini reports (via Twitter) that Cleveland isn’t interested in acquiring Cousins, since the team believes Brian Hoyer is a better option.
The report echoes one from over the weekend by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cabot cited a source in writing that there was only a “remote possibility” of Cousins being sent to the Browns. In addition to having Hoyer under contract for another year, the Browns are positioned to pick fourth overall in May’s draft, so they could also add a young, high-upside quarterback with that selection.
While the Browns may not have a ton of interest in acquiring Cousins, that doesn’t mean the young signal-caller won’t be surrounded by trade rumors during the offseason. GM Bruce Allen has publicly indicated that Washington isn’t looking to move its backup QB, but the club will have plenty of holes to fill heading into 2014, so if a deal could net the Redskins a solid piece or two, the team would probably at least have to consider it. The ’14 free agent market for quarterbacks is fairly thin, and there’s considered to be a moderate drop-off after the top three QBs in the draft. In other words, teams searching for an upgrade may be willing to make it worth the Redskins’ while to part with Cousins.