Browns Rumors: Russell Wilson Still Targeted amid Cousins, Wentz, Shedeur Sanders Buzz

The Cleveland Browns are casting a wide net in their search for a starting quarterback in 2025.

On Friday's episode of Get Up, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said the Browns are still pursuing Russell Wilson while keeping players like Kirk Cousins, Carson Wentz and potentially Shedeur Sanders in the draft as other options:

"The Cleveland Browns still have interest in Russell Wilson. They're still pursuing that angle, but they have Carson Wentz as a contingency plan. There's some mutual interest there if Wilson falls through. Kirk Cousins would be a prime option for the Browns, I'm told, but he's simply not available right now, so it's uncertain whether they want to really wait that out. That leaves them with the No. 2 overall pick. There is love in that building for both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, but the feeling around the league is the Titans could go Ward. That leaves them with Sanders, but I'm told the Browns do like his processing speed, mental game at the line of scrimmage."

There has been growing buzz that Sanders could be the Browns' choice with the second pick in the draft. B/R's NFL scouting department projected that pairing in its most recent mock draft posted on Thursday.

As Wilson continues to wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make a quarterback decision, he has explored the market by visiting with the Browns and New York Giants.

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi noted Wilson's meeting with Browns officials didn't include any discussion about the parameters of a potential contract before he left their facilities.

Myles Garrett told reporters on March 14 he would welcome Wilson into the fold if he signs with Cleveland:

"I mean him and I had a little bit of conversation at the Pro Bowl as well as here and I definitely think he’d be a valuable asset as a leader, as a mentor to those young guys. Veteran leadership can’t be understated. And I think he has definitely has some juice left at the position. He’s got plenty of arm left. He’s very smart and he knows what he’s capable of. So he’d be a valuable asset."

Wentz has emerged as a potential option if Wilson signs elsewhere. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported on Wednesday there's mutual interest between the Browns and Wentz as a potential bridge quarterback.

Cousins remains a member of the Atlanta Falcons, with indications they don't necessarily feel pressured to move him because they're already locked into paying his guaranteed money for 2025.

The Browns have been cited as a landing spot for Cousins if he does get traded. It's not a hard connection to make since Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski was the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings from 2018 to '19 when Cousins was their quarterback.

If the Browns are able to land any of the veteran options, it shouldn't preclude them from selecting Sanders in the draft if they believe in his long-term potential. Both Wilson and Cousins will turn 37 later this year, so they are nearing the end of their careers.

Wentz hasn't been a full-time starter since the first half of the 2022 season with the Washington Commanders.

Wilson is probably the best of the veteran options available that the Browns are looking at. The 10-time Pro Bowler threw for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 starts with the Steelers last season.

Cleveland cycled through four different starting quarterbacks in 2024. The quartet of Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe combined to throw for 3,506 yards, 19 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.