Browns: Who’s The Next Quarterback That Will Be Let Go?

Being A Mentor Plays In Favor Of McCown

Kris Grimes

When it comes to the Cleveland Browns quarterback situation, it could all come down to timing and what happens during the preseason. Currently on the roster, the Browns have Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Austin Davis, and Cody Kessler.

Of the four, Griffin is locked in as the starter and Kessler is a third round pick of this regime. Those two are not going anywhere. As for McCown and Davis, both QB’s are veterans.

They have taken their hits and both have succeeded and failed with the Browns. That said, only one will remain by the end of camp. Who it is will be determined by how training camp plays out, not only for the Browns but for the rest of the NFL.

For instance, the Dallas Cowboys already have a thin depth chart at QB. If something should happen to Tony Romo or their current stable of QBs, they might be forced to meet the Browns asking price in a trade for McCown.

The same would go for any other team in the NFL. While there are other options like the usual retreads of Ryan Lindley or Matt Flynn available, McCown might appeal to more teams because of his willingness to be a leader and to defer to being a backup at this point in his career.

Now if nothing happens, and camp plays out perfectly for the Browns, then I’d say Davis is the more likely cut. Why? The Browns love McCown’s demeanor. Like I mentioned before, he’s shown nothing but class when it comes to being a backup.

McCown is okay playing the role of a mentor, and with guys like RG3 and Kessler on the roster, that is important. That is not to say that Davis would reject that role, but McCown knows his career is on the tail end.

McCown might just be more willing to be a player-coach than worried about where his next payday is coming from. That also gives the Browns more flexibility next year when it’s likely they’ll be drafting high enough to take a quarterback like Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.

Next: Cutting Kessler Could Happen