Getty ImagesThe Browns have vowed to look high, low and everywhere in between for quarterback options this offseason and Josh McCown is looking for a job after being released by the Buccaneers.
To little surprise, it looks like those two paths will cross. Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Browns have expressed interest in McCown’s services. They have not yet set up a visit with the veteran quarterback, but could do so soon.
McCown worked with new Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo in 2007 when DeFilippo was the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach. McCown started seven games for Oakland that year, throwing nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and Cabot reports that the two men enjoyed working together that season.
McCown has visited the Bills and is expected to meet with at least one team in Indianapolis during the combine before making other visits as he weighs his options around the league. As the only quarterback currently on the open market who could be a starter in 2015, McCown should have several such options available to him.
Good grief…
They should just move to Baltimore again and make that a two team market.
The Browns are do dysfunctional, it boggles the mind.
When’s the last time the Browns had a good QB?
Anyone who still has a Luke McCown jersey from 2004 will be offered a rebate.
The Browns have never showed much interest in winning, why stop here?
Brian Hoyer 2.0.
So, the QB situation is so bad in Cleveland that people consider Josh McClown an upgrade….Johnny 8Ball must suck so much harder than anyone realizes.
As someone posted the other day…
Life-long Browns fan….sigh.
are they giving up on Johnny 8 ball ?
This might be a sign they are searching for a new coach too. Pathetic
I don’t really get the hype surrounding this guy. Been in the league, what, 11-12 yrs, virtually all of them as a backup. Had 1 good 1/2 a year and suddenly people think he is the next Joe Montana. Um, I think he is what we thought he was.
Typical Browns. This is perfect for us. Typical Browns.
But is McCown showing interest in the Browns?
Depressing times when a few teams seem to be interested in this bench warmer.
Yeah hes had his moments , did well for Chicago the other year back but hes bounced from team to team never being that much of a difference maker. If hes the ‘cream’ of the free agent QB’s its sad !
It certainly doesn’t hurt Josh that A) there are lots of terrible quarterbacks around the league and B) from every interview and article I’ve read, Josh is just a stand up guy, says and does the right things and basically has ne enemies, burned no brisges. Seems like a great guy and teammate
It would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic.
Of course the Browns are interested. How could they pass up a chance at an old, marginal-at-best QB? What a very Browns thing to do.
I am totally at a loss to explain how all of the current sources that replace aging and retiring QB’s in the League, have utterly failed for 2015 and the immediate future.Why could the powers that be, not see this coming and try and do something about it before it has hit critical mass ?many teams are now in QB trouble and with very few options to solve this dilemma.Without a good QB those many teams are going to be in trouble and the few teams that have good, or great, QB’s will repeat in the Championship Games.
Good move for the Browns. Install a bridge QB and re-evaluate year by year until a real QB comes along either in the draft or in free agency.
Jimmy garoppolo > then every browns QB
This would be a great fit for Josh, if he plans on being out of the league in 1-2 years.
What??? Is Derek Anderson, Charlie Fry, Jeff Garcia, Jason Campbell, Tim Couch, Brandon Weeden, or Brady Quinn not available???
In Other News:
The Browns have also expressed interest in JaMarcus Russell & Ryan Leaf because the homeless guy that recommended Manziel apparently mentioned them during an alcohol induced stupor.
Please no! Tell me Farmer and Haslam, what is this accomplishing? He is an older, less athletic Brian Hoyer. Remember when you benched Hoyer this year? I cant understand how these journeymen, half @ss talent qb’s keep getting paid to be sub-par. I would rather you guys give Johnny the entire season then sit through another stop gap veteran qb season.
This may not be a bad idea for Cleveland depending on what Hoyer does. McCown hasn’t proven himself but if Cleveland could fix the line that was diminished by injuries last season and maybe grab a solid receiver in the draft the offense may be able to produce with West and Crowell in the backfield. At least produce enough to the point where the defense can do their part in holding teams like they did in a lot of games last season.
why bother…
Uv course they are.
Great. Another journeymen leading our beloved Browns. Thanks, Jimmy. Things have really changed under your leadership.
This makes sense on so many different levels….which is why it probably won’t happen.
“McCown started seven games throwing nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions…the two men enjoyed working together that season.””
Maybe they enjoyed working together but obviously DeFilippo is not the coach that can get the best from McCown.
How is he better than Hoyer?
He is a backup.
No matter who the qb was in Tampa he would have gotten his ass kicked! There was no protection from the offense. JOsh had a smile on his face when he left
.
Josh McCown = Brian Hoyer. Same guys, different ages.
downgrade from Hoyer and a QB that has proven not to be a long-term solution already
Explain to me again how this guy is a better option than Hoyer? Unless they’re bringing him in here to mentor Johnny (which in itself is a dumb decision), what’s the point?
Honest to God… when are my Brownies EVER going to get a clue? Why us? LOL
LOL why, Browns do some REAL scouting on QB’s (Teddy Bridgewater #32 pick and you had 2 picks in the 1st round) and get your guy stop testing these old used guys!
I would rather see them use Johnny than bring in McCown. I do not see why they would try to fix their QB problems with a no fix.
I just had a creepy moment. After the last few weeks Im actually longing for the days of Joe Banner. I didn’t think was possible. Farmer is an arrogant extension of jimmy. No logic in any of it. Tell me again why hoyer is not the best option right now??? freakin disgusted.
Great. Another journeymen leading our beloved Browns. Thanks, Jimmy. Things have really changed under your leadership.
I thought the same thing when he was in Buffalo.
I just had a creepy moment. After the last few weeks Im actually longing for the days of Joe Banner. I didn’t think was possible. Farmer is an arrogant extension of jimmy. No logic in any of it. Tell me again why hoyer is not the best option right now??? freakin disgusted.
as a Bills fan I agree about HOyer. He may be a stop gap of sorts but lets be honest, he had minimal help at wr last year. I would take hoyer here in Buffalo over him
Maybe they should sign 16 different backup QB’s and let each one start a game. That would be fun.
Unless we get a legitimate WR, what does it matter?
Fill the holes at WR, TE, OT, C, and the D-line.
Where’s Troy Smith or Terrell Pryor? Right now, I think a crash-test dummy couldn’t do any worse.
I think those on here defending Hoyer have to realize that Hoyer doesn’t think he is a “stop gap” and from everything I have read and heard him say is that HE believes (or his agent has convinced him) he is a starter in the NFL and wants paid like one. The Browns already offered him a contract last year and he and his agent decided to test the market. You are much better off signing McCown and only paying him a couple of million than paying almost the exact same player Hoyer starter money.
Browns fans need to consider this when discussing Hoyer vs McCown.
“Cabot reports that the two men enjoyed working together that season.”
Glad we got that cleared up, did they also enjoy long walks on the beach together? What about candlelit dinners?
I guess I understand the intent, just seems a like funny wording regarding an NFL teams internal dynamics.
I guess the bromance didn’t help the touchdown to INT ratio. 9 TD’s/10 INT’s.
The one thing I hate this time of year is the whining after literally every article whenever any team works out or signs anyone ever.
It’s the OFF SEASON. Cleveland has two QB’s on their roster now and by the time undrafted free agency has gone will probably have at least 3 more (one free agent, one drafted and one UDFA).
Also this is a Cleveland team which won whenever it’s QB threw the ball less than 20 times in a game. In other words if he can hand off the ball without dropping it he’s overqualified for the job as long as their pro bowl offensive lineman don’t go down like in 2014 (or the new offensive coordinator didn’t see how productive the Browns running backs were).
If he’s cheaper than Hoyer or willing to sign a short term deal he’s an upgrade. If not re-sign the one you’re familiar with and try to hit a home run with the 1st and second year players.
Plus for Browns fans if they sign him and he takes the same number his brother had when the Browns drafted him one of their old jerseys will be almost relevant again.
That’d be awesome!