Typically, a team’s return in NFL trades focuses on draft picks. Well, that may not be the case if the Cleveland Browns trade quarterback Josh McCown.
Yesterday, I gave my thoughts on the reported interest the Dallas Cowboys have in Josh McCown. During my breakdown, I mentioned how there is not many legit scenarios that would make sense for the Cleveland Browns to trade him.
After veteran quarterback Nick Foles signed with the Kansas City Chiefs last night, such a a trade may now become more of a possibility than previously thought. With Foles out of the equation, it is understandable why Dallas would be interested in the Browns’ veteran quarterback.
If such a deal were to get done, the return for the Cleveland Browns must be worthwhile. Speaking of their return, ESPN reporter Ed Werder appeared earlier today on ESPN Cleveland’s The Really Big Show where he discussed what might be offered.
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At the 2:22 mark in the conversation, Werder gave his best guess that Dallas would initially offer guard Ronald Leary rather than a draft pick. However, Werder then went on to mention that the Cleveland Browns would be more interested in draft picks (understandably), but it is unclear as to what Cleveland would want.
One other interesting tidbit Werder stated was Dallas’ concern of what Cleveland’s demand is if the two organizations made a trade. Of course that needs to be seriously considered. There is no point for the Cleveland Browns to trade McCown for pennies on a dollar (i.e. a conditional draft pick or something close to that effect).
The ultimate fact regarding all trade discussions is that Cleveland holds all of the leverage. No other team has been mentioned to the extent they have. At the same time, Dallas only has rookies as the backups now, so one of these teams are going to blink.
Adding Leary to the offensive line would help, but he is a backup in Dallas now and would not strongly be considered as a long-term answer. That is due to the Cleveland Browns’ multi-year approach where they are building with young players.
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Unless Cleveland receives an offer that is worth their time, do not expect a trade. McCown is the best option available, but moving on from him would put the Browns in basically the same situation Dallas is in now.
All signs point towards Robert Griffin III as the Cleveland Browns starter. With McCown set to be the backup and mentor, if any trade is going to happen one would think it would be made before the start of preseason play.
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The thought of the QB position without McCown may be an unsettling one to some. Yet, do not expect this speculation to turn into anything as the price to have McCown is greater than without him in so many ways.