The Cleveland Browns have been a key talking point all season. Once projected as a playoff contender, they now face the harsh reality of being eliminated from the postseason.

Amid the disappointment, one analyst has suggested a surprising solution to their quarterback struggles-a move that has sparked debate and raised eyebrows across the NFL community.

During a holiday edition of First Take, ESPN analyst and former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum proposed a bold idea: Kirk Cousins as the key to Cleveland’s resurgence.

“Kirk Cousins will lead the Browns to the AFC North division title,” said Tannenbaum. “And to me this one’s really easy because you reunite with Kevin Stefanski. They need a quarterback. They have a really good defense. And if Kirk Cousins plays B or better they win the division.”

While intriguing, the suggestion faces significant challenges. The Browns recently restructured Deshaun Watson’s massive contract to mitigate future salary cap implications, but Watson still carries a $73 million cap hit in 2025. Adding Cousins, who has struggled with Atlanta this season and was benched, seems highly unlikely.

With all three rivals either playoff-bound or contending, the Browns face a stout uphill battle to achieve divisional dominance, and adding an aging quarterback with recent struggles doesn’t seem like a logical solution.

For now, the Browns aim to finish the season strong with an upset over the Ravens, which would open the door for the Pittsburgh Steelers to claim the divisional crown. While Cousins might not be the solution, the conversation highlights Cleveland’s daunting task of rebuilding and staying competitive in a tough division.