Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Jameis Winston

Monday, February 10, 6:32 PM

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns might only be able to afford players like the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins or Minnesota Vikings' Daniel Jones as their bridge quarterback this offseason. According to Over the Cap, Cleveland is projected to be $38.6 million over the 2025 salary cap, but the next anticipated restructure of QB Deshaun Watson's contract will clear up around $36 million in cap space. The status of QBs Derek Carr, Geno Smith and Russell Wilson will dictate how expensive Cousins and Jones will be this offseason. Cousins isn't a free agent, but the Atlanta Falcons probably will find it hard to trade him because of the $10 million roster bonus he's due after the start of the new league year. Cousins has familiarity with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski from their days with the Vikings. The Browns are expected to draft a QB at No. 2 overall this year, but Cousins could make sense as a bridge starter if he becomes a free agent.

Tuesday, February 4, 12:25 PM

During Super Bowl LIX Opening Night on Monday, Cleveland Browns impending free-agent quarterback Jameis Winston said he'd be willing to play for the New York Giants. "Would I really sign with the Giants? Absolutely!" Winston said. "I want to keep playing and do what I do best. I think we have a young woah! They have a young roster. But they have a young roster that's ready to win. They're ready to bounce back. I know they're hungry over there." The G-Men went 3-14 in 2024 and don't currently have a QB on their roster. They could take a signal-caller with the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, but Winston could represent the perfect bridge QB next season. The 31-year-old Winston initially provided a spark to the Browns' offense last year when Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, and he eventually finished with 2,121 passing yards, 13 TDs and 12 interceptions before being benched.