The Cleveland Browns might have added another quarterback to the roster over the weekend, but it is still completely unclear as to who will start under center for the team in 2015. In big need of depth, the Browns signed Josh McCown to a contract which likely triggers the release of veteran Brian Hoyer, but where does Johnny Manziel stand in all of this and how will it factor in to the potential trade for Marcus Mariota in the draft?
The Browns announced over the weekend that McCown has inked a three-year contract as reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. After getting released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McCown was the hottest name on the market despite his terrible season in Florida. McCown was 1-10 for the Buccaneers last year, but had plenty of success with the Chicago Bears the season prior to that. The Browns are likely banking on McCown revisiting that quarterback of 2013 considering the lengthy deal they gave him.
McCown signing means Hoyer is gone. Browns fans can let go of him returning as the team's quarterback despite the success he brought Cleveland in 2014. Hoyer wants to go somewhere he can start and that is clearly not Cleveland anymore. There are several ways the Browns can use McCown. He likely will serve as the starting quarterback entering training camp considering Manziel is still serving time at a rehab facility. The veteran will be looked at to mentor the quarterback entering the new season and push him to eventually become the starter.
"Just life in general is too short to go through it alone or just looking out for yourself all the time," McCown said, via ESPN.com. "So if you can give up yourself to others to help someone else in their journey, I just think you'll find so much more peace in life. So that's my approach when I head into a quarterback room. It's just what can I give back to the guys around me to help us be better? Because ultimately it's going to help our team. Johnny is a person, and every person that I come across has value to me and they matter, and so I want to help him as much as I can with all parts of it, but to grow as a person and as a player and to help him go on and have a fruitful career."
General manager Ray Farmer made it clear that McCown would be great for the quarterback room. The veteran is a stop-gap option signed to keep Cleveland afloat while they determine the next move at the quarterback spot. A trade for Mariota will be explored. The Browns have two first-round draft picks to work with and might be able to negotiate a move up. However, that is no guarantee. If they miss out on the Oregon star, possibly someone like Mike Glennon or Kirk Cousins could be a target. Cleveland still believes Manziel is a potential starting option, but they also need depth in case that is not true.