Browns Reported to Have “Real” Interest in Making a Deal for Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo, Kirk Cousins, you name it and the Browns appear to be linked to a number of quarterbacks who could be on the move this offseason.

Cousins, could be a free agent if he hits the market on March 10th, but the Redskins can also put the franchise tag on him, which would run a whopping $24 million.

As for Garoppolo, he’s under the control of the Patriots for another season past the Super Bowl, but there’s been more than one report that the Pats will look to move in and cash in on his success from the two games he played early in the season when Tom Brady was suspended.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com wrote about the Browns ‘real’ interest in going after the Brady backup, and what it might take to get him here instead of San Fran, another team that could be in the mix for both he and Cousins.

Sources say the Browns’ interest in Garoppolo is real and that they’ll try to trade for him depending on how their draft evaluations go over the next five weeks or so.

If the Browns decide to draft Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson in the first round, they’ll be much less likely to pursue the Patriots’ backup — but wouldn’t rule it out.

But they’ll have competition for Garoppolo that will drive up the price. Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan liked him coming out of the draft, and might pursue a deal once he formally becomes the 49ers’ head coach.

The 49ers have the No. 2 pick in the draft, and are also looking for a quarterback.

But the Browns are intrigued, sources say, and they’ll strongly consider it. The cost could be the No. 12 overall pick and more.

Either Garoppolo or Cousins or someone else, the Browns it sounds like are going to stay on top of trying to land another QB this offseason.