Trade Proposal Lands Browns $35 Million Pro-Bowl QB

With P.J. Walker at quarterback, the Cleveland Browns will keep trying, but their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday might be their last.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Cleveland is hoping that Deshaun Watson’s shoulder will be ready for Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals. However, Browns supporters have already heard that story more than once this season, just for the reverse to turn out to be true, so nobody has to hold their breath.

Cleveland also has the option to try to acquire a veteran quarterback before the NFL trade deadline of October 31. There are a few different routes the team might go in this regard.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the more likely transaction would see the Browns re-acquire Jacoby Brissett from the Washington Commanders, who will undoubtedly be sellers if they lose to the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. Trade for Kirk Cousins, who has been a Pro Bowl player the last two seasons, with the Minnesota Vikings is an intriguing but less likely option.

Kirk Cousins Perfect 1-Year Rental for Cleveland Browns

After Minnesota’s season began with a 1-4 record, All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a hamstring strain that sidelined him for at least four weeks. It appeared at that moment that Cousins would most likely become available before the deadline. March marks his entry into free agency, and the Vikings have missed out on two offseasons where they could have signed him to a long-term deal.

But because to a lax schedule and a 55.8% chance of making the playoffs according to ESPN’s Football Power Index going into Week 8, Minnesota has subsequently won back-to-back games and established a strong case for themselves as buys. Should Minnesota lose to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, the only realistic route to a trade for Cousins by the Browns or any other quarterback-needy team in the league, will be altered dramatically. Draft Kings Sportsbook had the Vikings as 1-point favorites to win the game as of Saturday night.

In the event that the Packers triumph and Cousins is traded, Cleveland would have paid a fair one-year rental fee for him. The majority of Cousins’ $35 million salary in 2023 comes from bonuses that the Vikings have already disbursed. Cousins will therefore only cost the Browns $555,555 in game checks each trip. That works out to somewhat more than $5.5 million in Cleveland money for a proven champion who is a major improvement over Walker in terms of skill and experience.

Kirk Cousins Doesn’t Represent Chance of Long-Term QB Controversy with Deshaun Watson, Browns

As an NFL starter, Cousins is 75-67-2. This season, he has passed for 2,057 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. He has the ability to relieve some of the strain on the Browns run game, which is also struggling with injuries. Jerome Ford could miss this weekend’s game because of an ankle sprain.

In addition, Cousins gives Watson as much time as needed to recover from his shoulder injury and go back to the player he was in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans. In a blowout victory that day, Watson passed for 289 yards with two touchdowns in an efficient fashion.

Because Watson’s salary cap amount will increase to $64 million in 2024 and stay there for the next three years of his contract, there is no chance Cousins will be able to replace Watson in Cleveland. Even if the Browns paid them to do so, no team in the NFL would currently take on Watson in trade due to his difficulties and financial circumstances. A long-term quarterback debate is also ruled out by the fact that Cousins will soon be free agents.

If the Browns deal for Cousins, he plays well, and Watson returns healthy in about a month, then perhaps some intriguing questions will surface. However, having two quarterbacks who can start and win key games while working with one of the top defenses in the league is a nice problem to have.

The only way Minnesota can shop Cousins is if he waives his no-trade clause, which he has stated he does not intend to do. However, a trade might be the wisest course of action for all parties if the Vikings lose this weekend and fall to 3-5. If that’s the case, the Browns should make a strong push for Cousins in exchange for the rights to two fifth- and two sixth-round selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.