NFL Rumors: Insiders Predict Kirk Cousins Will be Browns' QB If Cam Ward Isn't Drafted

Kirk Cousins is the "likely" candidate to start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns if they don't get Miami's Cam Ward in the 2025 NFL draft, according to Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline.

From the moment the Atlanta Falcons benched Cousins, the Browns were one of his most logical landing spots in the event he got cut.

Deshaun Watson could potentially miss all of next season after suffering a second rupture of his Achilles tendon. Even if Watson were healthy, the ship has probably sailed on him living up to the massive expectations Cleveland set for him and the franchise when it made the blockbuster trade to acquire him.

There's a reason the Falcons might part ways with Cousins only one year after signing him to a $180 million contract. He threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and an NFL-high 16 interceptions in 14 starts.

Between his age (36) and his torn Achilles from 2023, the four-time Pro Bowler is probably past his best with little hope of a renaissance.

As a short-term stopgap solution, teams could do worse than adding Cousins, though. For the Browns, he'd be a nice bridge to Ward or another young signal-caller.

One question for Cleveland is how aggressive it would be in pursuit of Cousins.

ESPN's Adam Schefter originally reported the Falcons are expected to cut him before March 17 because that's the date he collects a $10 million roster bonus. With that timeline, he'd hit the open market more than a month before the draft gets started on April 24.

One assumes Cousins will have a new home prior to the first round getting underway. That means the Browns can't exactly wait around to see whether Ward is available with the No. 2 pick. The veteran will be long gone by then.

Between now and mid-March, the Tennessee Titans' general preference with the top overall selection could become more clear, thus giving Cleveland a better idea of Ward's availability.