CLEVELAND, Ohio — The veteran quarterback dominoes began to fall on Friday night when the Raiders rocked the NFL world by trading for Geno Smith, thereby reuniting him with his former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
Smith, whom the Browns passed on at No. 8 in 2013 in favor of Barkevious Mingo, may have been one possible option for the Browns as they pursue a veteran quarterback to pair with the rookie they’ll draft next month.
The trade touched off a flurry of quarterback activity as teams scramble to find their new starters and backups with the negotiating window opening Monday at noon, and free agency officially kicking off on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
The Browns, who are strongly considering Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders with their No. 2 overall pick — and several other rookie QBs if they take one later — could have their new veteran in place within the next few days. But the pickings are slim, and demand is high.
They can either opt for veteran who will start for them this season, or more of a bridge quarterback who will start until the rookie is ready. If they expect their rookie to start this year, they must find the sweet spot of a veteran who can help win games until their quarterback of the future is ready, and also be willing to mentor him.
Here’s the latest on some of the veteran QBs:
**1\. Indianapolis’ Joe Flacco**
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Flacco, the Browns’ savior in 2023 when he went 4-1 down the stretch to help them clinch a wild card spot at 11-6, went 2-4 for the Colts this season, throwing 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. At the age of 40, he still wants to play, and would welcome the chance to return to Cleveland, where he was an overwhelming fan favorite. Flacco wanted to re-sign with Cleveland last season, but the Browns never made him an offer, opting for the younger Jameis Winston. Flacco would come at the right price point, and already knows the scheme, the coaches and players.
**2\. Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins**
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Cousins has been high on the Browns’ list for months, in large part because he would likely come at a price compatible with $36.9 million cap charge for Deshaun Watson this season. The Falcons are on the hook for Cousins’ $27.5 million salary this year, and owe him a $10 million bonus on March 17th. The Falcons appear to be leaning toward keeping Cousins, 36, as a backup to 2024 No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix. It’s why Cousins has requested a meeting with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, because he wants to go somewhere and start this season. Depending on what the Browns do in the draft, Cousins’ mindset might not align with the Browns’ thinking for their veteran QB. If they draft Ward or Sanders, he’ll likely start this season.
But if the Falcons release Cousins, who played for Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota, the Browns will surely be interested.
**3\. Minnesota’s Sam Darnold**
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With Smith headed to Vegas, the Seahawks are believed to be interested in signing Darnold, who went 14-3 this season, but finished with two poor outings in the potential-division clinching finale and the wild card round. The Vikings have strongly considered re-signing Darnold, but the Seahawks might outbid them for the hottest QB on the market. Have the Browns tossed their hat in the ring for Darnold? With his price expected to climb above $30 million a year, it would be tough to get involved at that price point.
Darnold established himself as a bona fide starting quarterback this season, and not one who will want to take a back seat to a rookie.
**4\. Minnesota’s Daniel Jones**
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If Darnold signs with the Seahawks or someone else, the Vikings will be more likely to try to keep Jones, the No. 6 overall pick by the Giants in 2019 out of Duke. But if he hits the market, he’ll undoubtedly land on the Browns’ radar. With a market value of about $5 million a year, he’s at the right price point for a bridge quarterback and might welcome the chance to get his career back on track after being released by the Giants last year. Other teams are interested in Jones too.
With Jones, 27, still being so young, he’ll probably want to go to a place where he can start or at least have a chance.
The downside to Flacco in this role is that fans would be clamoring for him if the rookie struggles. But the Browns don’t seem to think it would be a problem, and he remains an option.
**5\. Kansas City’s Carson Wentz**
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The Browns don’t seem to be hot on the trail of Wentz, the No. 2 overall pick by the Eagles in 2016 after they traded up with the Browns to draft him. Wentz has bounced around to five different teams, and might not be the Browns’ top choice for a bridge, but they also can’t rule him out. The demand in this market is greater than the supply, and the Browns must leave all of their options open.
**6\. Pittsburgh’s Justin Fields**
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The Steelers are still deciding on their starting quarterback for this season, but Fields, the former Ohio State star, is not believed to be high on the Browns’ list. The Steelers are still in play to re-sign him, but the Jets are rumored to be interested. In the end, he’ll likely end up with one of those two teams.
**7\. Pittsburgh’s Russell Wilson**
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Wilson has said he wants to stay in Pittsburgh, but it remains to be seen if he’ll get that chance. If they move on, the Giants are believed to be interested. Would the Browns be interested? Again, they must keep their options open, but Wilson falls into the category of a starter and not a bridge, and probably isn’t right for this role.
**8\. Raiders’ Gardnew Minshew II**
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Minshew, who will be released this week, had a down year in 2024, going 2-7 with the Raiders while throwing only nine TDs against 10 INTs. But he showed good promise the year before in Indy under Shane Steichen, going 7-6 and nearly beating the Browns and their No. 1 defense. With 46 starts to his credit, Minshew brings excellent “bridge” experience and would likely come at the right price.
**9\. Patriots’ Jacoby Brissett**
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Brissett is one of the recent former veterans the Browns would consider bringing back. He brings excellent leadership, mentorship and starting ability, but would embrace a backup role behind the rookie. Fans would clamor less for Brissett than they would for Flacco, who brought the offense back to life in 2023 and helped save the season. Brissett is also an excellent team leader and would be good for the whole locker room.
**10\. Rams’ Jimmy Garoppolo**
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The Browns had interest in trading for Garoppolo in 2017, but was dealt to the 49ers instead. Eight years later, he’s back on the Browns’ radar as a bridge quarterback to start this season or back up the rookie. Garoppolo was benched by the Raiders in 2023 after a 3-3 record and nine interceptions to go with his seven TDs, but he just might fit the bill, especially if the Browns draft Ward or Sanders, who might be able to start right away.
**11\. Cardinals Kyler Murray**
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The Browns have falsely been rumored to be trying to trade for Murray. He’s the Cardinals’ franchise QB, and isn’t going anywhere.
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