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Cleveland Browns: The offseason QB talk came and went like it always does

By Steven Kubitza

Dec 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) leaves the locker room prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) leaves the locker room prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns always seem to be linked to big name quarterbacks every offseason, but it never comes to fruition.

Even when things seem bleak, Cleveland Browns fans always seem to have hope that the team is just a player or two away from turning things around. Specifically, a quarterback away.

This leads to fans pondering whether the team should go after major free agents, or even offer up trades to bring a big name quarterback to Cleveland. It has happened in the past and it happened once again. Yet nothing comes of these ideas.

The long NFL offseason allows for rumors to grow and evolve into news stories, although there may not be any factual basis behind the story. The Jimmy Garoppolo situation seems to be that way, as the Patriots have said they aren’t likely to trade him, yet some cast doubt upon that declaration.

Then there was Kirk Cousins‘ situation. Some Browns fans began to think of a future in which Cousins was the team’s quarterback, only he signed a franchise tag with Washington and the Browns were left with Brock Osweiler.

Related: Corey Davis draft profile

The Browns are not a team capable of luring a star quarterback. That is why the NFL Draft remains the only logical way for the team to upgrade at the position, although the talk of the top prospects may just be speculation, as the team could choose to focus on defense this year.

Look to 2016, when all the talk surrounded Jared Goff and Carson Wentz for a few months. That resulted in the Browns signing Robert Griffin III and trading out of the No. 2 overall pick, instantly zapping any excitement fans had for the season.

The talk now surrounds the prospects, but there is a growing mindset that the team may just go with Osweiler and Cody Kessler in 2017. It is not the most exciting choice, but it may be the smartest if the front office doesn’t believe any of the top quarterback prospects are worthy of an early pick.

These players may succeed elsewhere, but this Browns team is still in need of so much improvement that it will be hard for a young player to come in and succeed and be worth first-round money.

Next: Complete 6-round Browns mock draft

That is beginning to become more clear for fans as the early quarterback talk has now shifted to the expected pick of Myles Garrett, followed by countless choices at the No. 12 selection. The Browns could surprise everyone and take a quarterback, but it appears that the position may be settled for 2017.

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