Cleveland Browns: QB Trade Talk Is Popular But Is Not Going To Happen

The rumors and speculation of the Cleveland Browns trading for a potential franchise quarterback is both popular and exciting but that is all that it is.

Since Bernie Kosar stopped being the Cleveland Browns‘ franchise quarterback, they have been unable to fill that role. Between numerous routes in hopes of obtaining their next franchise signal-caller, the organization has consistently failed.

At the moment, it seems like every possible quarterback that could be on the move is linked to the Browns. Obviously that is an exaggeration, but if Cleveland were to have dealt for what they believed was their franchise quarterback, the deal would have already happen.

Cleveland did acquire quarterback Brock Osweiler. However, at best, he is a stopgap situation. Osweiler is not the future in Cleveland and the pursuit for their starter will continue.

The most interesting names to have come up as possible trade targets has been New England Patriots’ Jimmy Garoppolo and Washington Redskins’ Kirk Cousins. If Washington dealt Cousins, they would be left with Colt McCoy. As Browns fans, we are all too familiar with the former Cleveland quarterback.

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Safe to say, Cousins is not getting dealt to Cleveland. For some time now we have seen contradictory reports on New England’s willingness to actually deal their backup QB. Draft picks are extremely valuable, and even though Garoppolo is my preferred trade option, along with some of you if going down that route, I do not anticipate any trade happening.

So, where does that leave Cleveland’s quarterback situation? It should be a matter of when, not if Osweiler is released.

If something regarding an Osweiler transaction is not done by the end of the month, I would be very surprised. Should that happen, perhaps Cleveland really did have a plan for Osweiler.

Looking at how the Browns are building, they have taken the template the Seattle Seahawks used earlier this decade to build their roster. Near the end, Seattle correctly drafted a quarterback in Russell Wilson to complete their rebuild as one of the best teams in the NFL.

Cleveland still has a lot of work to be done to get to that point, but as they maintain their track of improvement, quarterback Cody Kessler is the Browns’ starter right now. However, the draft is next month too. There will be intriguing and tempting names to go after during the yearly three-day event that could influence playing time.

Let’s play out a very real scenario: Regardless if Osweiler is still in Cleveland or not, a quarterback gets drafted. No other quarterback related moves are made. As a result, Cleveland instead adds depth at key positions and drafts quality players who will make an impact, hopefully soon.

The Browns are not going to be making a run at the division in the fall, but more wins are expected. Kessler will be given a chance at starting behind a much improved line while the coaches evaluate their rookie QB.

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As their young core gets more experience, it won’t take the whole season to know if Kessler can be a NFL starter, or is just a backup long-term. Stranger things have happened, but coming across the news that Cleveland traded multiple picks for Cousins, Garoppolo, etc., seems very unlikely. Instead a heavy dose of Kessler and/or rookie QB should be the plan.

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