After a rocky end to his first year in Atlanta, Kirk Cousins' name has resurfaced in trade conversations-and one NFL analyst thinks the answer is obvious.
Cousins started 14 games for the Falcons in 2024, throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. It was a high-volume season, but not his cleanest. That, combined with Atlanta's decision to hand the keys to rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. late in the year, has opened the door for a potential change of scenery.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes the fit is seamless-the Cleveland Browns.
"I think Kirk Cousins will eventually be with the Cleveland Browns," Orlovsky said Thursday on "The Pat McAfee Show", doubling down on where he thinks the veteran should land.
"I think Kirk Cousins will eventually be with the Cleveland Browns..
If I were the Browns and I was getting Cousins I would draft Travis Hunter at number two"@danorlovsky7#PMSLIvepic.twitter.com/dJL36gp5aw
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 3, 2025
He went on to explain the potential upside of the move, saying the Browns will "have a chance" to compete in the AFC North "if you have Kirk Cousins as your starting quarterback and draft Travis Hunter with the second pick."
Cleveland could certainly use help at the position. Deshaun Watson remains sidelined after two Achilles injuries-one in October 2024 and another setback in January 2025-and Kenny Pickett, recently acquired from the Eagles, is currently the only healthy quarterback on the roster.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam already admitted the Watson deal was a "big swing and miss," leaving the front office open to alternatives.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on the team's trade for Deshaun Watson: "We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun. 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. … (the trade) was an entire…
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) March 31, 2025
Atlanta, meanwhile, appears ready to move forward with Penix Jr., who was taken No. 8 overall in the 2024 draft. He took over as the starter in Week 16 and is now expected to lead the team moving forward.
Cousins, who turns 37 before next season, is still under contract with the Falcons after signing a four-year, $180 million deal in 2024. He carries a guaranteed $27.5 million salary for 2025, but he's reportedly open to waiving his no-trade clause if a deal can be worked out with a team like Cleveland.
Related: Peter Schrager Leaves Co-Host in Tears on Live TV
Copyright 2025 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 12:25 PM.