After the Denver Broncos took the largest dead cap hit in NFL history to part ways with quarterback Russell Wilson last March, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Wilson to a low-cost, team-friendly deal. Since then, Wilson has helped lead the Steelers to a 10-4 record and the top spot in the AFC North.
In a piece published Thursday, Mike Sando of The Athletic explored how the Cleveland Browns might follow a similar path by pursuing current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in the upcoming offseason.
Sando highlighted the connection between Cousins and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who worked together with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 and 2019. During that time, Cousins was the starting quarterback, and Stefanski served as quarterbacks coach and later offensive coordinator. Their partnership worked well enough to earn Stefanski the Browns’ head coaching job in 2020. Sando suggested that Cousins’ familiarity with Stefanski could make the Browns an attractive destination, especially given the perceived lack of transparency Cousins experienced with the Falcons.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed with Atlanta in March but expressed frustration when the Falcons unexpectedly drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick weeks later. Though Cousins recently struggled and was benched in favor of Penix, his situation mirrors Wilson’s last year, when many doubted Wilson’s future as an NFL starter. Wilson, however, has revitalized his career in Pittsburgh and could soon secure a multi-year contract.
The Browns, meanwhile, plan to retain Stefanski, general manager Andrew Berry, and quarterback Deshaun Watson through at least the 2025 season. However, Watson will likely face competition for the starting job, potentially from a rookie or a budget-friendly veteran like Cousins.
“At this stage,” Sando wrote, “Cousins wouldn’t demand a guaranteed long-term starting role. Stefanski’s preference for play-action and under-center schemes could relieve some of the pressure on Cousins, especially given Atlanta’s limited use of such strategies this season.” Sando also noted that Cousins appeared physically limited this fall, likely due to recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in October 2023. A full offseason with a familiar coach could help the 36-year-old rebound.
As for the Browns, they remain tied to the fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal they gave Watson in March 2022 through at least the 2026 offseason. If Cousins is open to signing a deal similar to the one Wilson took in Pittsburgh, he could emerge as Cleveland’s top free-agency option—assuming Atlanta decides to move on from him.
