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Cleveland Browns: Breaking down some potential big-name options at QB

By Steven Kubitza

Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Unlike Cutler, Kirk Cousins is currently a free agent after finishing up a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins. Also unlike Cutler, Cousins is coming off a great stretch of football.

The Redskins quarterback led his team to a 8-7-1 record in 2016, throwing for 4,917 yards and 25 touchdowns. It was only his second year in the starting role after replacing Robert Griffin III. Perhaps there is a reunion in store for the two former teammates.

The problem with this scenario is the price. Cousins earned nearly $20 million last year while on the franchise tag, and could be up for a similar salary in 2017, except it would be a multi-year deal.

The Browns are in no position to offer any quarterback this type of money until the team has more of a foundation, as such a move would prevent the front office from building around the quarterback position. And for the price, Cousins has not shown enough over an extended period of time to warrant such a high salary.

Related: Browns be one team ready to make major offer for Garoppolo

But let’s say the Browns want to use a chunk of that cap space and go after Cousins. Bringing him to town would still allow for the team to draft a young quarterback to learn under him, while also creating the possibility of retaining Cousins for a long time if he proves to turn this team around.

Unfortunately, it will take more than just one player to turn things around. And for the price, the Browns would be fools to pursue Cousins after two solid, but not spectacular, seasons as a starter.

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