In the aftermath of the Browns’ acquisition of quarterback Jason Campbell, it’s clear that someone eventually will have to go.
That someone eventually could be Colt McCoy.
Refuting a report that McCoy will soon be released or traded, CEO Joe Banner said in an interview with ESPN Radio Cleveland (the Browns’ new flagship partner) that McCoy won’t be cut -- but that the Browns could be willing to trade McCoy.
The market for McCoy could depend on whether and to what extent teams find quarterbacks in the draft. While McCoy is unlikely to get a chance to compete to be a starter elsewhere, teams like the Bills, Bears, Saints, Buccaneers, and 49ers could still be looking backups.
As to the starter in Cleveland, Banner said Brandon Weeden will enter training camp at No. 1 on the depth chart, but that Campbell will compete with the 2012 first-round pick.
Of course, there’s still a chance that the Campbell acquisition primarily was aimed at providing the Browns cover for taking a quarterback in one of the first two or three rounds of the draft. With Weeden and Campbell under contract, no one will suspect the Browns of making a play for a another passer.
If, for example, the Browns eventually decide to take Geno Smith with the sixth overall pick, it’s important that the two teams immediately behind them (the Cardinals and Bills) don’t see it coming -- or they may try to leapfrog Cleveland in the draft order.