The Cleveland Browns need a quarterback added to the roster. The team has Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw guaranteed to return in 2015 and that simply will not cut it moving froward. The Browns have no guarantees that Manziel will be ready by the time the season starts after he admitted himself into a rehab facility. Shaw is not a starter right now. While the Browns currently fight to re-sign Brian Hoyer among controversy with the NFL, could they be looking to get a trade done as well?
According to the Washington Post, the Cleveland Browns have been interested in a trade for Kirk Cousins for the entire 2014 season. It is reported that the Brown offered a fourth-round draft pick for Cousins prior to the 2014 season beginning, unsure if Hoyer or Manziel would get the job done. The Browns could still target Cousins in a trade, but not for a fourth-round pick.
The Washington Redskins backup quarterback is entering the final year of his contract and is unlikely to get offered a new one. He did not exactly impress in his time as a starter in place of Robert Griffin III which has hurt his stock moving forward. However, the Browns need help and a change of systems could do Cousins some good. Cleveland will not give up much to get him, but if available they could take another look.
The Browns are aware that getting Hoyer back is a 50/50 chance at this point. The veteran has made it clear that he wants to start in 2015 and while the Browns are the perfect team to give him that chance, recent NFL investigations paired with the departure of Josh Gordon and potential departure of Jordan Cameron have him eyeing going elsewhere. Owner Jimmy Haslam has said the door is wide open for Hoyer to re-sign, but it is up to the quarterback to do so.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer makes the case for simply starting over at quarterback and pulling off a deal for Marcus Mariota in the NFL Draft. The Browns have two first-round draft picks to work with and could make the move to get the former Oregon star. Most NFL experts believe Mariota is prepared to start immediately in a game which works well for Cleveland. Other options include grabbing Josh McCown or Mark Sanchez in free agency or trying to throw all the eggs in the Jay Cutler basket.