Since the start of the offseason, the Cleveland Browns have been trying to figure out the best direction to take their quarterback position. The team is dealing with more drama than they originally intended to as doubt begins to rise over last year's first-round draft pick, Johnny Manziel. The Browns are standing behind the quarterback as he continues a stint in rehab, but cannot count on him as a starter which has the team searching far and wide for options. On Friday, they made their first move.
According to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler, the Browns have signed veteran Josh McCown to a contract. The quarterback has been on plenty of team's radars since he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Many have looked past his one bad season with the Buccaneers and believe he is still a valuable option to compete as a starter. McCown only went 1-10 last season, but thrived with the Chicago Bears getting him interest from the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Bears in free agency. In the end, the Browns won out.
"I just want to serve our team and help everybody in that locker room, do my best to help everybody in the locker room be better at their job and they're going to help me, too. It's a two-way street," McCown said, via ESPN.com. "I'm just excited about coming in and being a part of a team. Year 1 was a solid first year for coach (Mike) Pettine, and to see the vision with what he's got going on is exciting to me. In my room, I want to be able to help those young guys and pass along my knowledge and experiences I've had and help them grow."
McCown likely will not be the only addition the Browns make to the roster. Signing McCown shows that free-agent-to-be Brian Hoyer was not planning on returning to Cleveland. The veteran kept the Browns competitive last season, but was soured by the competition with Johnny Manziel and an ongoing NFL investigation due to texting. Hoyer and general manager Ray Farmer were supposed to meet and discuss his place on the team, but Hoyer is now expected to head elsewhere.
The signing of McCown also puts the potential trade for Marcus Mariota in limbo. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns had been considering trading up for the former Oregon star. The Browns have employed Mariota's quarterback coach, Kevin O'Connell. They have the means to make a trade up work. However, McCown is signed to a three-year contract and right now Manziel is not going anywhere. The team will have to decide if the trade up is worth it.