NFL Rumors: Kirk Cousins Linked to Browns by Insiders; Jameis Winston Return Possible

Even though the Cleveland Browns are going to have Deshaun Watson on their roster next season, the organization will be keeping tabs on other quarterbacks who are capable of starting to add during the offseason.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Daniel Oyefusi, Kirk Cousins is one option the Browns are expected to consider if he becomes available. They are also leaving the door open for Jameis Winston to return in 2025.

Cousins doesn't seem like he will be with the Atlanta Falcons much longer after being benched in favor of Michael Penix Jr. prior to Week 16.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the expectation from people across the NFL is that Cousins will be released by the Falcons before his $10 million roster bonus is due on March 17.

There's a chance the Falcons could explore trade opportunities for Cousins, but that would be complicated because of his salary and a full no-trade clause in his contract.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe noted executives and coaches around the league think the Falcons could land a day-three draft pick in a trade if they agreed to pay "a chunk" of Cousins' $27.5 million guaranteed salary for next season.

One reason that Cousins might have more interest than his performance this season suggests he should is the quarterback market looks rather barren. Sam Darnold will be the top free agent, but the group behind him includes Jacoby Brissett, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones.

There could be some other players added to the list if they get released by their current team. Aaron Rodgers is the biggest name among potential cut candidates, but he's talking about potentially retiring going into the final game of the season for the New York Jets.

Cousins had some good moments this season with the Falcons, but he really struggled down the stretch prior to being benched. He has thrown for 3,508 yards with 18 touchdowns and an NFL-high 16 interceptions in 14 starts.

The Browns recently restructured Watson's contract with the expectation he will be on the roster in 2025, but there has been no assurances from the organization that he's going to enter the season as the starter.

Watson is currently rehabbing from a ruptured Achilles he suffered in Cleveland's Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He was arguably the worst starting quarterback in the NFL this season prior to the injury.

After Watson went down, Winston took over as the starter. He threw for 2,038 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in seven starts before being benched prior to Week 16.

The Browns could also end up taking a quarterback in the draft. They could secure the No. 1 overall pick with a loss to the Baltimore Ravens and wins by the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans in Week 18.