Blockbuster trade proposal sends Browns QB Kenny Pickett to NFC in exchange for Pro Bowl star

Jarrett Bailey

Blockbuster trade proposal sends Browns QB Kenny Pickett to NFC in exchange for Pro Bowl star image

Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns and their quarterback battle have been one of the discussions of the NFL offseason. Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco are the veterans of the room, with Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders competing for spots as rookies taken in round three and round five, respectively. 

However, at least one analyst believes a new quarterback will enter the fray. Cory Woodroof of For The Win predicts that the Browns will trade for Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons.

"We have a feeling the Browns might find themselves in an awkward spot during training camp with their quarterback room," Woodroof writes. "Neither Joe Flacco nor Kenny Pickett inspires a ton of confidence as a 17-game starter, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders feel destined to sit on the bench for a year. If Cleveland is serious about winning in 2025, swinging a trade for Cousins is the clearest path. Cousins isn't quite as potent as his best days in Minnesota, but he proved with Atlanta in 2024 that he can still be a solid starting quarterback when healthy. If the Browns come to the conclusion we think they will, Cousins and his former Minnesota offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski will reunite in the Dawg Pound to compete in the AFC North."

Woodroof suggests that the Browns ship Kenny Pickett to the Falcons as part of the deal, which would then give the Browns a room of Cousins, Flacco, Gabriel, and Sanders.

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Jarrett Bailey

Jarrett Bailey is a freelance NFL writer for The Sporting News. He previously wrote for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, The 33rd Team and Pro Football Network. Enjoyer of chocolate milk, metal music, Batman, pasta salad, and pro wrestling. There is nothing more breathtaking than a Jeff Hardy swanton bomb.