Cleveland Browns in the running for Josh McCown; he could decide in a few days
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Quarterback Josh McCown wrapped up his visit with the Browns Wednesday without a contract, but
they're still in the running to sign him, a source told Northeast Ohio Media Group.
McCown, who also visited the
Bears, Bills and Jets, will consider other teams as well, the source said. The Bills are also still believed to be under consideration.
He'll take a few days to talk things over with his family and
could make his decision by the end of the week.
If McCown signs with the Browns,
it will likely spell the end of Brian Hoyer in Cleveland. In addition to an opportunity to compete for the starting job, McCown, 35, will serve as a mentor for Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw and any young quarterback the Browns decide to bring in.
Hoyer still wants an opportunity to start, whereas McCown has said he's willing to take a backup role.
The Browns haven't shown any sense of urgency in re-signing Hoyer, and didn't meet with his agent at the NFL combine. Hoyer also hoped to meet with Browns general manager Ray Farmer before free agency begins March 10, but that hasn't happened.
McCown, on the other hand, spent Tuesday and Wednesday visiting with the Browns and enjoyed the meetings.
In 2007, he was coached by current Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, who was then Raiders quarterbacks coach. McCown went 2-5 as a starter that year, with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. But
the two enjoyed working together and would look forward to the opportunity to do so again, a source said.
McCown would be able to help DeFilippo implement the new scheme and also serve as almost another coach on the field and in meeting rooms. Manziel will be learning a new offense, and McCown would be able to help him with the nuances of it.
A third-round pick of the Cardinals in 2002 out Sam Houston State, McCown is the older brother of former Browns quarterback Luke McCown, a fourth-round pick in 2004 who started four games for the Browns before being traded to Tampa Bay on draft day in 2005.
The Bucs, who own the No. 1 overall pick and might draft Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, released McCown after a disappointing season in which he went 1-10 and threw 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. McCown, who was replaced during the season by Mike Glennon but then reclaimed the starting job, earned a 70.5 rating, second-worst in the NFL to Jacksonville rookie Blake Bortles.
The sub-par season followed a stellar year with the Bears that earned McCown his two-year, $10 million free agent contract with the Bucs. In 2013, McCown threw 13 touchdowns and only one interception en route to a 3-2 mark for the Bears. He finished with a 109.0 rating. Overall, McCown has home 17-32 in his 12 seasons with six teams.
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