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OBR Insider Lane Adkins contributed to this report...
There has been no shortage of speculation that the Cleveland Browns would find a way to get Kirk Cousins to be their quarterback for the 2025 ever since he was benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix. While it doesn't necessarily guarantee victories, if Cousins is released, the potential to pay him $1.255 million for a year would almost represent a 'get out of jail free card' when considering how much cap they continue to have tied up in Deshaun Watson.
Cousins did not fare well with the Falcons in 2024 after signing a substantial contract. He didn't look to be healed from the Achilles' injury that he suffered with the Minnesota Vikings the year previous. When he was benched in favor of Penix, he looked awful. Since then, Cousins has said he was playing through upper body injuries which severely limited him. Nevertheless, not unlike Baker Mayfield when he played through a torn labrum, it's difficult for some to unsee how Cousins fared this past season.
But as quarterbacks have signed including Justin Fields to the New York Jets and Daniel Jones to the Indianapolis Colts, the prospect of Cousins looks more appealing to skeptics as options start to dwindle.
So, is Cousins to the Browns a forgone conclusion? Here's the latest the OBR has learned.