The Browns search for a veteran quarterback continues, but this week several available options found homes. Ryan Tannehill signed with the Vikings, former Brown Jameis Winston signed with the Giants and Aaron Rogers had an extensive meeting with the Steelers. So, who does that leave for the Browns?

Kirk Cousins. Cousins $10 million option was picked up by the Falcons last Saturday and the team still continues to insist they’re going to keep him as a backup. At $37.5 million, that’s an expensive backup. Atlanta is holding out hope, that some team will trade for Cousins, but his contract is too rich for many including the Browns. If the Falcons could redo his deal, then maybe it’s a possibility. Included in this equation, is he has a no-trade clause, and he would have to approve the deal. It’s believed a trade may happen during the NFL draft if a team is in dire need of a quarterback. The Browns are not that team. Like I said, his contract would have to be redone, with the Falcons swallowing the majority of his contract. In 2023, Cousins was 7-7 as a starter, threw for 3508 yards, eighteen touchdowns, sixteen interceptions and had a QBR of 88.6.

Russell Wilson. Wilson visited the Browns facility the weekend after free agency started. The local Cleveland media characterized the meeting as casual, but I have learned it was a little more extensive. Cleveland was open and honest with Russell about their future plans and did discuss the type of offense they were planning to run. No money was discussed, but the parameters of what Russell is seeking were. The Browns remain interested. In 2023 Wilson was 6-5 as a starter, threw for 2482 yards, sixteen touchdowns, five interceptions and had a QBR of 95.6.

Joe Flacco. Flacco has let it be known he would love a return to Cleveland and that he would be willing to mentor a young quarterback. He signed with the Browns on November 20, 2023, after a season ending injury to Deshaun Watson. His play help ignite the Browns offense and led to Cleveland making the playoffs. His one major problem was throwing ill-timed interceptions which led to touchdowns by the other team. After a strong first half in the wildcard game against Houston, he threw two pick-sixes which led to insurmountable Texans lead.  In 2023, Flacco was 4-1 as a starter, threw for 1616 yards, thirteen touchdowns, eight interceptions, and had a QBR of 90.2.

Carson Wentz. Wentz was the overall second pick of the Eagles in 2016. In 2017, he was on his way to an MVP season prior to getting injured. He was 11-2 as a starter, threw for 3296 yards, thirty-three touchdowns, seven interceptions and had a QBR of 101.9. In 2019 he was 9-7 as a starter, threw for 4039 yards, (a career high), twenty-seven touchdowns, seven interceptions and a QBR of 93.1. HIs last year as a starter in the league was 2021 with the Colts. He was 9-8 as a starter, threw for 3563 yards, twenty-seven touchdowns, seven interceptions and a QBR of 94.6. Last year he was a backup for Patrick Mahomes.