You Mayfield haters might want to check back in 2019 to see how Cousins performed under Stefanski as his OC in comparison to 2018 or 2021. You also might want to think about how we are going to get receivers in here the caliber of Theilen, Jefferson, and Osborn because we currently don't have anyone close to that level of a WR and that includes Landry.
Of course, it starts with Cousins' who also has the NFL's third-largest 2022 salary cap number at $45,166,668 and is a free agent in 2023. Because Cousins was on the Vikings roster on the 3rd day of the 2021 league year, his 2022 salary, which is currently guaranteed for injury, became fully guaranteed. Cousins base salary for 2022 is 35 million with 10 million added as a prorated bonus making his cap number $45,166,668.
Right now, the Browns have about 39 million in cap space. Mayfield's contract of 18.858 million is fully guaranteed so the only way out of that deal is a trade. 35 million of the current 39 million cap would go to Cousins. That leaves about 4 million as a starting point for free agency, the draft, and a new deal for Ward before anything else happens. All for a 1-year shot that hinges totally on Cousins delivering with a downgrade in receivers not to mention what other assets the Browns would have to offer up to Minnesota or any other trade partner before entering cap hell for years to come.
Yep, this makes total sense for the Browns (sarcasm).
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