Cleveland Browns News & Rumors

Titans Cancel Travis Hunter Workout

April 5th, 2025 at 5:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

It was learned earlier today the Titans will not conduct a private workout with quarterback Shedeur Sanders. One had been on the books, with the same being true of his Colorado teammate Travis Hunter.

Now, though, Tennessee will also pass on a Hunter workout. The Ringer’s Todd McShay notes no workout with the Heisman winner will take place. That represents another sign Miami quarterback Cam Ward will hear his name called first overall when the draft kicks off later this month. In addition, it obviously brings about further intrigue about where Hunter will wind up.

The Titans had already narrowed down their list of options for the top pick to the prospects frequently linked to the top of the board. Ward, Hunter, Sanders and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter were recently named by head coach Brian Callahan as those receiving consideration. One or more members of the Colorado pair could still be in play, of course, and the same applies to Carter. Barring a trade down – something which some in the building support – though, Ward can be expected to operate as Tennessee’s next starting signal-caller.

As for Hunter, McShay echoes previous reporting which points to the Browns leaning in that direction. Cleveland owns the second overall pick, and taking Hunter would likely allow the team to make a notable addition at the receiver position. The Browns are believed to see the two-way standout primarily as an offensive player, and in general the sentiment around the league seems to have shifted that way (after previously being pointed toward Hunter playing mainly as a cornerback).

The Browns entered the offseason in need of a starting quarterback with Deshaun Watson likely to miss a portion of the 2025 season (if not the entire campaign). The team swung a deal for former first-rounder Kenny Pickett, but more additions could be coming. Cleveland has frequently been linked to a Kirk Cousins acquisition. It remains to be seen if the Falcons will be prepared to trade him, however, and if a team will be willing to absorb most of his scheduled 2025 compensation in the process.

Selecting Hunter could ultimately result in Pickett – whose brief run as the Steelers’ starter did not go as planned – handling QB1 duties in Cleveland, or the team could add a rookie later in the draft. Either way, the Browns are the team worth watching the closest with respect to his stock at this point as the Titans further signal their intentions at the top of the board.

Shedeur Sanders To Work Out With Browns; Titans Visit Canceled

April 5th, 2025 at 1:34pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

APRIL 5: In the wake of Colorado’s pro day, Titans officials met with Sanders and his camp. A decision was made to cancel his Tennessee workout, as noted by team reporter Jim Wyatt. Ward remains the favorite to go No. 1 in the draft, and this development certainly represents another indication that will be the case.

MARCH 27: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders will privately work out for the Titans and the Browns, who hold the first and second overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. The workouts are scheduled for the days following Colorado’s April 4 pro day, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Sanders has already spent time with both teams; he interviewed with the Titans at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January and went to Cleveland on a top-30 visit at the beginning of March.

At the moment, Sanders is not the expected pick for either team. The Titans are working out Miami quarterback Cam Ward for a second time on Friday, and the Browns are “leaning towards” Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 2.

But with the draft still a month away, nothing is set in stone. Last month, the Titans were expected to trade the first pick and the Browns were trying to fend off Myles Garrett trade suitors. Now, Tennessee appears to view Ward as its quarterback of the future, and Cleveland signed Garrett to a massive extension.

Garrett’s trade request partially stemmed from the Browns’ lack of direction at quarterback. While his $40MM APY seems like enough motivation on its own, he insisted the extension wasn’t only about money. Garrett also said on a podcast (via the Browns’ social media) that he has an idea of who the Browns will start at quarterback in 2025 and likes it enough to stay in Cleveland.

However, the Browns’ only quarterback addition this offseason was Kenny Pickett. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was sent to the Eagles as part of the deal to acquire Pickett, and both Jameis Winston and Bailey Zappe signed with other teams in free agency. The Browns also missed out on Russell Wilson, leaving 2024 backups like Joe Flacco and Carson Wentz as Cleveland’s remaining options.

That quarterback room doesn’t inspire much confidence, indicating the Browns still have another plan to address the position. That could involve drafting Sanders (or another rookie QB), or a post-draft trade for Kirk Cousins.

Cowboys Meet With Quinshon Judkins; Bengals, Browns, Giants, Texans Visits On RB’s Schedule

April 4th, 2025 at 2:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not viewed as one of the better draft classes in recent NFL history, the 2025 crop does bring considerable running back depth. After a 2024 draft saw only one back chosen in Rounds 1 and 2 (Jonathon Brooks), this year should feature several going before Day 2’s second half starts.

Ashton Jeanty is a mortal lock to be a first-rounder, perhaps a top-10 pick, while North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton is on the first-round radar as well. Should those two be off the board after the first round, the second opens the door to three Big Ten options — Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson and Ohio State’s 1,000-1,000 pair (Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson). Judkins’ pre-draft itinerary is forming fast.

The Cowboys have met with the three-year college RB, who posed for a photo with Jerry Jones (via SB Nation’s Brandon Loree) after his meeting this week. News of Judkins’ Broncos visit already surfaced, but the former Ole Miss recruit is also set to meet with the Bengals, Browns, Giants and Texans, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweets.

A three-time 1,000-yard rusher in college, Judkins scored an eye-popping 50 touchdowns despite declaring for the draft after his junior season. The 2024 transfer helped Ohio State to a national title, leading the team in rushing despite Henderson having played in Columbus for three seasons already. Although Henderson is viewed as a superior pass catcher, the one-year Buckeyes teammates may not be separated by too many picks. Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board lists Henderson 34th and Judkins 38th.

The Bengals turned to Chase Brown as their primary back last season, as Zack Moss went down midway through his Cincinnati debut. Moss remains on Cincy’s roster, despite being mentioned as a potential cut. As Nick Chubb has seen injuries sidetrack his career, the Browns did not re-sign the decorated RB, who remains in free agency. Holdovers Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong remain, as Cleveland appears to be eyeing an addition in the draft. Though, the Browns obviously have higher priorities entering the late-April event.

Saquon Barkley‘s transcendent Eagles debut came after the Giants did not make an offer in 2024, but the team did see some early promise from fifth-rounder Tyrone Tracy. Devin Singletary also remains on Big Blue’s roster, though the rookie usurped him on the team’s depth chart. The Texans made Barkley a lucrative offer, then pivoting to Joe Mixon. Although Mixon boosted Houston’s ground attack after Singletary’s exit, he is 174 carries away from 2,000 for his career. A younger option makes sense, as Dameon Pierce did not follow his promising rookie season with much of note.

The Cowboys lost Rico Dowdle but added Javonte Williams. Scheduling a Jeanty visit, Dallas should be expected — after passing on last year’s RB class — to make an addition during this year’s event. Williams has not looked quite the same since his 2022 ACL and LCL tears, and Dowdle had delivered a 1,000-yard season after Tony Pollard‘s exit.

Latest On Falcons, Kirk Cousins; QB Still Prefers To Be Released

April 3rd, 2025 at 7:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kirk Cousins is known to be on the trade block, with the Falcons confirming this week their willingness to work out a deal under the right circumstances. Of course, finances will play a major role in determining if an acceptable agreement can be reached.

Cousins has already seen his $10MM roster bonus vest for the 2026 season, but at issue in ongoing trade discussions is his scheduled $27.5MM base salary for next year. An acquiring team would take on a portion of that compensation as the Falcons aim to move forward with Michael Penix Jr. atop the depth chart. Atlanta has set the bar rather high with respect to the financial responsibility of Cousins’ next team, though.

Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post reports the Falcons are “insisting” on the acquiring team in a Cousins swap taking on between $20MM and $25MM of what he is owed for 2025. To little surprise, he adds that demand has stalled talks on a deal to date. Owner Arthur Blank is seen as the driving force behind the team’s stance on this front, and with the draft approaching and the list of teams in need of a veteran QB addition thinned out it will be interesting to see if it changes in the near future.

Cousins appeared to be set up for at least a two-year stint as Atlanta’s starter when he signed in free agency last spring. The Falcons’ decision to the draft Penix eighth overall immediately led to speculation about a parting of ways for Cousins, and that has emerged as a possibility this offseason. The 36-year-old has let the team know his desire to be released, but even doing so with a post-June 1 designation would result in a $50MM dead cap charge. A trade thus represents a more suitable path, but Cousins does not want to waive his no-trade clause until after the draft to avoid a repeat of last year’s situation.

A third-round pick has been mentioned as compensation in a potential Cousins trade, but teams will of course not be willing to part with notable capital in addition to taking on the majority of his base pay for next year. The possibility remains that the four-time Pro Bowler will stay in place and operate as a highly expensive backup behind Penix. Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed at the league meetings (via NFL.com) Atlanta remains on board with such a scenario in the event a trade cannot be worked out.

Of the few realistic suitors for the four-time Pro Bowler, the Browns have often been mentioned as the top one to watch. Kenny Pickett was acquired via trade last month, and at the moment he is in position to lead a QB depth chart which features an injured Deshaun Watson. Cleveland aims to move forward from the ill-fated Watson acquisition, something which could include a draft investment as early as the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft or a short-term move such as reuniting Cousins with former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.

As noted by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan, the Browns are not in a position to trade for Cousins and take on some (perhaps most) of his remaining contract. In the unlikely event a release were to take place (something Ledbetter confirms is still his preference), Cleveland would presumably show interest in a low-cost deal given the offset language in Cousins’ contract. Considering Atlanta’s apparent asking price in a swap, though, it would come as a surprise if serious traction toward an agreement with the Browns or any other suitor were to be gained in the near future.

Browns To Hold Additional Meeting With Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders; Teams Doubting Cleveland’s Abdul Carter Interest?

April 3rd, 2025 at 4:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having rostered two players who could end up top-five picks in the draft, Colorado will feature its most notable pro day in ages. The Buffaloes’ top prospects are set to work out Friday in Boulder, and dozens of high-ranking NFL personnel members will be there.

Although the Titans are sending several key staffers to Boulder, the Browns will do more preparation on Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Browns brass will have dinner with the Buffaloes’ top duo, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes.

This dinner comes after the Browns hosted both players on “30” visits and conducted meetings and workouts with other quarterbacks. Cleveland has hosted Cam Ward on a “30” visit and gone through a workout with the likely No. 1 overall pick, and the team has worked out Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart; a Tyler Shough meeting is also scheduled. But Cleveland holds the No. 2 pick, likely giving — in the expected event the Titans start the draft with Ward — right of first refusal on the Colorado stars.

Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski will be at the dinner, per Cabot, who adds new OC Tommy Rees and veteran QBs coach Bill Musgrave likely will join the top power brokers. The Browns view Hunter as a wide receiver, separating them from the Titans and Giants regarding one of the most interesting prospects in NFL history. Sanders, however, would be the more interesting pick from a big-picture lens.

The Browns are not expected to trade up to No. 1, as a 2-to-1 move has never happened in the NFL draft, but they have been closely connected to Abdul Carter. Cleveland brass hosted the Penn State defensive end on a “30” visit and dined with Carter and his family before the Nittany Lions’ pro day last week. However, some around the league are sensing a smokescreen effort. Two anonymous GMs told the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora they are not sold on a Browns-Carter fit, with one citing Stefanski being absent at the D-end’s dinner as a sign this might not come to fruition.

It would be a risk if the Browns passed on a quarterback at 2, even if Sanders has generated considerable scrutiny about being worthy of such an investment. Sanders, however, is not expected to fall too far if the Browns pass. Opinions vary on the Giants’ interest in Sanders, though a recent report suggested the NFC East team is indeed believed to be in on the two-year Buffaloes starter. If the Browns pass on Sanders, they may face the prospect of needing to trade back into Round 1 to acquire another QB. La Canfora doubles down on Dart being a first-round pick, something that has come up for a bit now.

The Browns hold the Nos. 33, 67 and 94 selections — the third choice coming via the Amari Cooper trade — if they want to assemble a package that could allow them to draft Carter and then vault up for Dart or, potentially, a falling Sanders. With Deshaun Watson almost definitely never taking another snap with the team — especially after Jimmy Haslam made the public admission of the catastrophic blunder his franchise made in trading for the embattled QB — the Browns need a cost-controlled option under center.

The Titans will send GM Mike Borgonzi, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and DC Dennard Wilson to Colorado, ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport adds. Brian Callahan and team president Chad Brinker will not join them, having already spent extensive time on Hunter and Sanders, whose private workout with Tennessee is slated for April 9. With Ward the most likely player to be Nashville-bound to start the draft, however, the Browns will be tasked with determining if Sanders or Hunter are worth passing on Carter.

Browns Not Expected To Trade Up To No. 1

April 1st, 2025 at 10:02pm CST by Ely Allen

A few weeks ago, we saw Browns defensive end Myles Garrett make an about face on his stance for the team’s chances for contention on their current trajectory. While it hasn’t been said exclusively, one may assume that, in the team’s meetings and negotiations with Garrett, Cleveland gave him some insight into the team’s plans for becoming contenders.

One would also assume that that would indicate some sort of improvement at the quarterback position, but so far, the Browns have exchanged Jameis Winston for Kenny Pickett and watched Deshaun Watson‘s rehab activities stall due to a second Achilles tendon tear that could hold him out for the 2025 NFL season.

One way that Cleveland could improve at the position is by drafting a talented rookie, but at No. 2 overall, the Browns sit just out of reach of the class’s best quarterback, Miami’s Cam Ward, who’s expected to be taken No. 1 overall by the Titans. While one might think it wouldn’t take too much to move up and exchange places with Tennessee, general manager Andrew Berry said at league meetings this week that the team is “unlikely” to trade up for Ward, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

In fact, Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam seemed to indicate that they may not add a quarterback at all, telling the media that they’re “not going to force it,” per Cabot. Instead, Cleveland may address Garrett’s position group by adding Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, who is widely seen as the top prospect in the class. Despite recent news of a stress reaction in Carter’s foot, Berry made it clear that the team is not concerned by the injury, stating that it shouldn’t “be prohibitive to a long, successful career,” per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi.

By not further addressing the quarterback position, the Browns would be setting themselves up to enter the 2025 NFL season with only Watson — who is questionable to be healthy by that time — and Pickett as options at QB1. That doesn’t seem to worry Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who told the media today that he believes in Pickett to be the team’s Week 1 starter “if it lands that way.” Over three years with the Steelers and Eagles, Pickett has a 15-10 record as a starter in the NFL with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Jimmy Haslam Admits Mistake On QB Deshaun Watson

April 1st, 2025 at 8:29pm CST by Ely Allen

Recent developments in Cleveland’s pursuit of veteran free agent quarterbacks and research into the 2025 rookie draft class’s group of passers seem to indicate that the Browns are perhaps ready to move on from their Deshaun Watson experience. The 29-year-old still has two years remaining on his deal, but it finally appears that the Browns are ready to recognize their mistakes and move forward. According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam admitted as much at Monday’s annual league meeting.

“We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam told the media. “We thought we had the quarterback; we didn’t. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him, so we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.”

Cleveland acquired Watson from the Texans in a trade package that included three first-round picks before signing the young passer to a five-year, $230MM extension, the league’s largest guaranteed contract in NFL history. Despite record-breaking contract after record-breaking contract being signed each year, no deal has come anywhere close to matching Watson’s $230MM in total guaranteed money at signing. Josh Allen‘s recent six-year, $330MM deal came the closest with only $147MM in total guaranteed money at signing.

In the three years since Watson signed that contract, though, he’s done little to earn that money he’s been guaranteed. He started just six games in each of the 2022 and 2023 seasons and seven games this past year. The first shortened season was a result of an 11-game suspension that Watson served as a result of “egregious” and “predatory behavior” that led to several sexual assault allegations. In 2023, Watson missed three games with injury in the first 10 weeks of the season before suffering a broken bone in his throwing shoulder that would end his year.

Last year, we saw Watson suffer a torn Achilles tendon after seven weeks of play. In early-January, Watson suffered a setback in his rehab from the tendon tear that was reported to potentially require a second surgery. Days later, it was disclosed that he had suffered a second Achilles tendon rupture, potentially endangering his availability in 2025.

If the Browns do go after a rookie passer, it could certainly be an indication that Watson’s time in Cleveland has come to an end. The team has worked out multiple restructures with Watson in recent years in attempts to help spread out his cap impact through the 2029 season, but at the moment, he represents cap hits of $36.94MM in 2025 and $81.68MM in 2026. With 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions at the low, low cost of $230MM, it does appear that the Watson-trade has turned out to be a bit of a swing and a miss.

Browns Were Not Interested In Long-Term Russell Wilson Commitment; Latest On Team’s QB Plans

March 30th, 2025 at 10:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

Russell Wilson‘s 2025 free agent process ended with a Giants deal. The Super Bowl winner sees himself as the team’s starter, and he could very well wind up atop the depth chart if New York does not use a high draft pick on a passer in April.

Wilson also visited the Browns earlier this month, opening the door to a Cleveland agreement. That did not seem as likely as a Giants pact, though, so Wilson’s ultimate decision came as little surprise. A one-year commitment to the 36-year-old could very well produce a run of starts and another deal being worked out next offseason in New York’s case.

While the Browns also themselves in need of a long-term solution under center, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com writes they viewed Wilson strictly as a bridge option. As a result, negotiations on a contract did not last particularly long, with the longtime Seahawk preferring an option where he would not face as much competition for a starting gig. New York had already added Jameis Winston on a two-year pact, and the team could draft a quarterback at some point next month; nevertheless, Wilson is currently on track to handle QB1 duties at this point.

Cleveland has Deshaun Watson on the books for two more years, but his second Achilles tear leaves him in danger of missing most or all of the 2025 campaign. That leaves trade acquisition Kenny Pickett in place to compete for the starting role this offseason. The top QB selected in the 2022 draft, Pickett’s Steelers tenure did not go as planned and it ended with a trade to the Eagles last spring. The 26-year-old is now in place with the Browns, a team which could be in the market for at least one other passer.

Cleveland has long been connected to trading for Kirk Cousins, but Cabot adds a deal on that front can be considered unlikely at this point. The Falcons passer wants to avoid a repeat of last year’s situation by waiting until after the draft to be dealt, although it remains to be seen if Atlanta will be on board with such a move and if financial arrangements related to the remainder of his contract can be made with an acquiring team. Free agents like Joe Flacco and Carson Wentz have been linked to the Browns, but again Cabot cautions nothing is currently imminent on that front.

Set to select second overall in April’s draft, Cleveland will likely have the opportunity to select any prospect other than Cam Ward. The team was recently reported to be high on Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, but other options will be considered as well. The Browns have hosted Tyler Shough on a top-30 visit, and he is among the quarterbacks who could find themselves in Cleveland next season. For now, at least, Pickett is in position to receive the chance to handle QB1 duties, something he sees himself as capable of managing on his new team.

Poll: Which Team Will Draft Travis Hunter?

March 29th, 2025 at 10:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

Cam Ward is widely viewed as the top quarterback in the 2025 draft class, and with the Titans owning the No. 1 pick it would come as no surprise if he wound up in Tennessee. Plenty of uncertainty looms regarding the next few picks at the top of the board, though, especially as it pertains to Travis Hunter.

The Heisman winner has long been seen as one of the two ‘can’t-miss’ prospects in this year’s draft (the other being Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter). While Carter’s projection to the NFL is straightforward, though, Hunter’s depends on how he will be used as a pro. The two-way star handled a heavy workload at receiver as well as corner in college, and NFL teams are split with respect to how they would deploy him.

Many see Hunter as a corner (at least primarily) at the NFL level, and that holds true for the Titans. Tennessee hosted the Colorado product earlier this month, doing so with Ward as well Carter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The team will have plenty of information to work with when weighing its options as a result, but the decreased signs of a trade down being in play obviously point to Ward hearing his name called first. That would leave a small group of teams in place to consider drafting Hunter.

The Browns are positioned to select second overall, and they have already met with Hunter once during the pre-draft process. A follow-up could certainly be in store, especially if Cleveland becomes convinced Ward will come off the board to begin the draft. The Browns are in the market for a quarterback, however, considering Deshaun Watson’s Achilles tear and the fact trade acquisition Kenny Pickett is not seen as a starting-caliber option. Sanders and (potentially) other signal-callers could therefore receive consideration.

On the other hand, a report from earlier this week indicated the Browns are leaning toward drafting Carter with the No. 2 pick. Myles Garrett’s trade request was rescinded when he worked out a market-resetting extension, but Cleveland could still look to add an impact edge rusher via the draft. In contrast to the Titans, the Browns are known to view Hunter primarily as a receiver, something which will no doubt affect their stance on selecting him.

Active on the free agent quarterback market, the Giants have added Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson on short-term deals. New York could still select a passer third overall, but after pre-free agency indications pointed to a move up the board aimed at landing Ward, the position may not be addressed until later in the draft. In that event, adding Hunter would become a distinct possibility.

The Giants have a WR room led by 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Malik Nabers and a CB group which now includes free agent addition Paulson Adebo. Hunter could help on both sides of the ball given the opportunity, although usage based primarily on defense would be expected in the event New York drafted him. The Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll regime faces pressure to find a long-term solution under center this offseason; drafting Hunter would not achieve that goal but he would add to a roster in need of improvements in many other areas.

Unlike the three teams at the top of the board, the Patriots do not enter the draft in need of acquiring a franchise passer. That could prove to be beneficial, although the team certainly has several other needs. Receiver was viewed as one entering the offseason, but the recent Stefon Diggs deal will provide the team with a productive veteran. Left tackle remains an area of interest, and LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou have been identified as New England targets for the No. 4 pick.

Eliot Wolf has stated the Patriots will prioritize the best player available over positional need in 2025, though, and taking an offensive lineman that high (particularly one other than Campbell) would be seen by many as a reach. Hunter is held in high regard by the organization. As a result, New England could very well represent his floor with respect to draft projections as things currently stand.

Of course, a team like the Jaguars (set to select fifth) could come into play in the unlikely event Hunter were to not hear his name called during the opening minutes of the draft. Another suitor could also swing a trade into the top three or four with the intent of selecting him. In any case, a long wait during the first round would come as a surprise.

The first player to ever win both the Chuck Bednarik and Fred Biletnikoff awards as the country’s top defender and receiver, Hunter understandably aims to play both ways in the NFL. His ability to do so will be dictated in large part by where he winds up, something which represents one of the more interesting storylines as the countdown to the draft continues.

Which team do you see ultimately selecting Hunter? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and have your say in the comments section below.

Kirk Cousins Seeking Post-Draft Trade

March 29th, 2025 at 4:52pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

MARCH 29: Had Cousins been released, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports notes he still would not have signed with a suitor such as the Browns prior to the draft (video link). Cleveland will continue to be linked to a deal later this offseason, but that could very well change if the team adds a signal-caller early in April. Such a scenario would further limit the number of feasible Cousins suitors.

MARCH 24: After a failed attempt to be released ahead of free agency, Kirk Cousins is now in no rush to force a move out of Atlanta. He is planning to wait until after the draft before waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate a deal, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

The Falcons held onto Cousins long enough for $10MM of his 2026 salary to vest into a full guarantee and have signaled their willingness to keep him as an expensive backup this season. He would prefer to find a starting job elsewhere, though he’s wary of a repeat of last year’s situation in Atlanta. The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $160MM deal in March and drafted Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick six weeks later. That put pressure on the 13-year veteran to live up to his contract while making it clear that he was not the team’s long-term quarterback.

When Cousins hit a patch of rough play in December, the Falcons benched him for Penix, effectively ending the 36-year-old’s tenure in Atlanta after 14 games. In 2025, he doesn’t want a highly drafted rookie breathing down his neck. That would be a risk with his two most likely suitors, the Browns and the Giants, who hold the second and third overall picks in April’s draft. After years of instability under center, both teams have been repeatedly linked with the draft’s top two quarterbacks, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.

Cousins’ willingness to wait on a trade should work for his potential suitors. The Browns and the Giants can do their due diligence on Ward, Sanders, and even Jaxson Dart and let the draft play out. The Steelers are considered a “safe bet” to land Aaron Rodgers, but if that doesn’t work out, they could inquire about Cousins, according to Breer. However, Pittsburgh may want to see if a top quarterback falls within range of a trade up from the 21st overall pick.

Cousins would only waive his no-trade clause prior to the draft if his new team commits to not using a first-round pick on quarterback, according to Breer. That condition may not be amenable to front offices in Cleveland and New York that are looking for a long-term franchise quarterback.

It’s possible that the Browns look at a talented roster besieged by injuries last year and decide that trading for Cousins and using the No. 3 pick on an impact receiver or edge rusher is enough to compete in the AFC North. That doesn’t seem likely for the Giants, who have more holes to fill on their roster. They have also signaled a desire to add another veteran and draft a quarterback in the first round, even after signing Jameis Winston.

Cousins’ approach does involve some risk. If the Browns, Giants, and Steelers all solidify their quarterback situations by the end of the draft, he may be left without any suitors headed into the summer. That would leave him stuck in Atlanta as Penix’s backup with a $27.5MM salary that could be a barrier to a trade.

The Falcons would already be absorbing $37.5MM in dead cap space ($12.5MM in 2025 and $25MM in 2026) if they moved Cousins. Eating some or all of his 2025 salary would push their costs to $90MM for just one year and 14 starts from Cousins, a position Falcons owner Arthur Blank would prefer to avoid, according to Breer.

That will, of course, impact how much draft compensation teams will give up to acquire Cousins. A trade out of Atlanta to a team with a starting job available remains his desired outcome, but it seems other dominoes will have to fall first.

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