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NFL rumors: Cleveland Browns may pursue Kirk Cousins

By Brad Berreman

Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kirk Cousins may not be with the Redskins beyond 2017, but another team has possibly entered the mix to pursue him right now.

The dysfunction that is the Washington Redskins right now has centered on former general manager Scot McCloughan, but the situation with quarterback Kirk Cousins stands out too. A second straight franchise tag alters any talk of a long-term deal, while virtually assuring 2017 will be Cousins’ last season in Washington.

There was a rumor Cousins asked Redskins’ owner Daniel Snyder for a trade, one which he has now denied on Adam Schefter’s podcast. But it’s pretty clear Cousins wants out of Washington, if not now then surely around a year from now.

The San Francisco 49ers have been the easy team to speculate on regarding Cousins, with former Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in place as head coach there. But another team with plenty of salary cap space to take on Cousins’ $23.94 million franchise tag this year and sign him long-term has surfaced.

According to Pro Football Talk, there’s a “growing belief” the Cleveland Browns will try to acquire Cousins in a trade. Mike Florio goes further with a suggestion Cousins was concerned about being traded upon signing the franchise tender, and the Browns are the team to which he is concerned about being dealt.

The Browns have plenty of picks in the next two drafts to use as trade fodder. Their inevitable move to cut Brock Osweiler will keep their salary cap space at the top of the league while also clearly making room for another quarterback.

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Any rumor about the Browns trading for Cousins could be an attempt by someone in his camp to get the 49ers involved and thus rescue him from the Redskins now as opposed to just waiting a year. It’s also a risk for the Browns to make a deal since Cousins could willingly take his lumps for one year in Cleveland and then sign with the 49ers as a free agent in 2018. In any case, the speculation around Cousins is not going away anytime soon.

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