Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) prepares for a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was spotted at a Northeast Ohio Chipotle on Thursday afternoon, sparking trade speculation.
Cousins, 36, was not released by the Falcons earlier this offseason and is now the highest-paid backup quarterback in NFL history. Despite remaining on the roster, the Falcons could decide to trade him around April’s NFL Draft.
It is not publicly known if the Falcons have given Cousins permission to seek a trade, but there is no denying he spent time in Cleveland. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Cousins’ viral visit to the Westlake, Ohio, Chipotle was “not NFL-related.”
Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney of Vayner Sports, joked about how the viral visit blew up his phone.
Last offseason, the Falcons acquired Cousins before drafting Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington. After an NFL investigation found the team had tampered with Cousins outside the legal free agency period, the Falcons were fined $250,000. General manager Terry Fontenot was fined $50,000, and the club was forced to forfeit a fifth-round draft pick.
That is likely why Rapoport and McCartney were quick to shut down rumors about why Cousins was in a Cleveland suburb. But let’s be honest: Cousins likely was not vacationing in Cleveland in March.
It is no secret the Cleveland Browns need a quarterback.
Earlier this week, they spent time in Miami with Cam Ward, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. They are set to meet with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders next week and have spent extensive time with Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe as well.
In free agency, the Browns missed out on Russell Wilson, who had a free-agent visit in Cleveland earlier this month before opting to sign with the New York Giants. Their remaining free-agent options include a reunion with former Browns quarterback Joe Flacco or signing Carson Wentz, though neither move is particularly appealing.
Trading for Cousins, who is familiar with head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense from their time together with the Minnesota Vikings, would make sense for the Browns—especially if they are not enamored with selecting a quarterback at No. 2 overall.
Cousins, who struggled last season in Atlanta after recovering from a ruptured Achilles, would provide the Browns with a veteran bridge quarterback and allow them to select Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter or Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall.
For now, Cousins’ trip to Cleveland was technically not NFL-related. Sure. Because why get Chipotle at home when you can fly to one of the most quarterback-needy cities in the country for your double chicken salad?
