Could backup quarterback Kirk Cousins go from Washington to Cleveland this offseason? Maybe. But probably not.
The possibility has been discussed in recent days since the Browns hired Kyle Shanahan as their new offensive coordinator, and Browns General Manager Mike Lombardi wrote for NFL.com in 2012 that he thought a Cousins-Shanahan combination would make a lot of sense. However, a source told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that it’s a remote possibility the Browns would trade for Cousins.
Cousins has shown flashes of potential in his two seasons in Washington, but he’s far from a sure thing as a starter. He has completed 114 of 203 passes for 1,320 yards, with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a passer rating of 68.6. Those aren’t numbers that would entice the Browns or any other team to ship a high draft pick to Washington to acquire Cousins.
The most likely scenario for the Browns is that they’ll be starting a rookie first-round draft pick like Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles or Teddy Bridgewater in 2014, and that Brian Hoyer will be that rookie’s backup. It’s nice that Cousins knows Shanahan’s offense, but the Browns aren’t likely to hand over the future of the franchise to a quarterback who has a passer rating of 68.6 in Shanahan’s offense.