Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Kenny Pickett

Tuesday, May 27, 1:13 PM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said he did not see quarterback Kirk Cousins at voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday. It shouldn't come as a surprise to many after the 36-year-old veteran signal-caller had a disastrous first year in Atlanta in 2024. He didn't play well coming off an Achilles tear the year prior and was eventually benched late in the year for rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. Cousins will enter the 2025 campaign as Penix's backup, but he desperately would prefer to be traded to a team that will give him a chance to start again. Among the teams that could be willing to trade for him include the Browns, Steelers and Vikings, but the Falcons are going to need to facilitate a trade by eating a large portion of his $27.5 million guaranteed salary for 2025, which they so far have not been willing to do.

Wednesday, May 28, 3:37 PM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett lined up with the first-team offense during Wednesday's walkthrough practice, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. The former first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers spent last season as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia but figures to be the favorite to win the QB1 job in Cleveland. Joe Flacco was next in line for reps as expected. While the Browns' quarterback room appears crowded heading into 2025, Pickett is likely the best bet to begin the season as the starter. Third-round and fifth-round rookie QBs Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders could be competing for the QB3 role behind Flacco. Ultimately, we could see two or three quarterbacks make a start for the Browns next season, but none are likely notable fantasy football options in single-QB leagues.