The Cleveland Browns need a quarterback. Head coach Mike Pettine has made that clear. There is doubt surrounding Johnny Manziel and how he will be upon returning from rehab. Brian Hoyer is not guaranteeing that he re-signs in free agency. A trade up for Marcus Mariota will not be an easy task to complete. That leaves the Browns weighing all options at the position and looking to the free agent market for potential help.
According to ESPN.com, Josh McCown has paid a visit with the Cleveland Browns after getting released from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier in the offseason. Officially a free agent, McCown is considered one of the best available veteran quarterbacks despite his low numbers last year. After signing with Tampa Bay in free agency, McCown struggled as a starter putting up just 2,206 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 11 games. Many people believe that McCown's failures in Tampa Bay could be chalked up to their terrible offensive line which has multiple interested in bringing him on.
Like most veteran quarterbacks, McCown wants to sign for a team that will allow him to start. The quarterback has visited teams like the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears and New York Jets so far in his free agency run. Like the Browns, those are three teams where he could potentially start, but it is not guaranteed as they all have someone younger on the roster as well. McCown has reportedly said he is unwilling to accept a backup job at this point.
If the Browns are looking to McCown, there must be real doubt that Hoyer re-signs with the team. ESPN's Todd McShay noted that Cleveland would be wise to re-sign the veteran simply because he can keep the team competitive while they develop another quarterback. However, Hoyer is turned off by the idea of re-entering a competition with Manziel or another rookie and is also unhappy with the current NFL investigation for texting. He has said he will consider the Browns, but could also move on.
General manager Ray Farmer has said that all options are on the table when it comes to the quarterback spot. Farmer made it clear via the Cleveland Plain Dealer that packaging their two first-round picks to move up and grab a rookie like Marcus Mariota is a real possibility. They will battle the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets for that trade. A contract for McCown is not guaranteed, but if Hoyer shows no interest in returning, the Browns will rush a deal.
