Alright, so the unification of the Cleveland Browns and Shedeur Sanders has constantly been floated leading up to the NFL draft. Especially with the Browns holding the No.2 pick and the Titans zeroing on Cam Ward with No.1 overall. Sanders was almost certain to be picked by the Browns. I mean, after Ward, he is the only QB who looks like a top prospect in this year’s QB class. But it sounds like the Browns are slowly pumping the brakes on Sanders. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini has revealed something that changes those Sanders to Cleveland speculations running up to the draft.

On her latest Scoop City podcast episode, Russini opened up on an interesting piece of information she caught from Cleveland owners. “I had some conversations in Cleveland. It was very apparent it’s quarterback, and it’s shifting. Now that I’m back from Owners, it’s shifting,” Russini claimed. See, Russini’s report on the Browns potentially moving away from Sanders comes a day after another Athletic’s reporter said the same.

Jeff Howe, in his report after the Colorado’s Pro Day, said, “There’s a growing belief around the league that Hunter is the favorite to go to the Cleveland Browns with the No.2 pick.” This comes directly from high-ranking executives and coaches. The Browns sent a heavy contingent to Boulder to meet both Hunter and Shedeur. They even took both of them out to dinner with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and head coach Kevin Stefanski present. However, the latest reports suggest the Browns heavily leaned on Hunter throughout his pro day.

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Sanders may have completed 62 of his 67 passes, showing off his accurate passing capabilities. He still threw some wobbly throws on shorter routes. And league evaluators believe his arm strength is good but not great. So, there are still some reservations on drafting Sanders as a day 1 starter. Meanwhile, Hunter remains a once-in-a-generational talent. He caught 15 passes from Shedeur without his gloves on. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner considered—as a top corner and a receiver, passing on Hunter would be giving up on a gold mine.

Maybe that’s why the Browns are slowly shifting their stance on drafting Sanders. But if they don’t take Sanders, is there a possibility of Kirk Cousins landing in Cleveland? Well, the chances of it happening remain slim but not impossible.

Kirk Cousins’ NFL future remains a big question mark

Just last year, Cousins was at the top of his world after landing a whopping 4-year, $180M contract in Atlanta. But that jubilation soon evaporated when the Falcons, without notifying Cousins, drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. Still, Cousins didn’t lose his starting spot. Hell, he was at the peak of his power until week 9. Winning Offensive Player of the Week after trouncing eventual NFC South Champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-26. But that was it. Cousins went on to lose his starting spot in the next 7 weeks.

The day he lost his spot in the team, Cousins led the NFL with 16 INTs and a league-high 13 fumbles. So, now he has found himself stuck in Atlanta on a contract that doesn’t even have a trade clause. There’s a growing feeling around Atlanta that Cousins won’t be present in their upcoming voluntary workouts. As for the Falcons, they have already paid him $100M for 14 games. And they don’t want to pay him any more. Isn’t that very obvious? That’s why the Browns, who are mildly interested in Cousins, are also not willing to absorb his current contract, as per the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes the only way any trade could happen is if the Falcons eat some of Cousins’ 2025 salary. Taking up a part of his $27.5M might earn the Falcons a mid-round pick. Still, it won’t be a cakewalk. Any trade revolving around Cousins will require his own approval. So, the Falcons are basically stuck in financial turmoil with no way out. Only time will tell whether he kept him as the NFL’s highest-paid backup or take more losses and ship him away for good.