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Josh McCown signs three-year deal with Cleveland Browns

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (12) runs out of the pocket against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (12) runs out of the pocket against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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 The Cleveland Browns signed free agent quarterback Josh McCown as the franchise bolsters the position that is in disarray.

In a move the Cleveland Browns hope will bolster the messy quarterback situation, the team signed free agent quarterback Josh McCown on Friday evening, according to his agent Mike McCartney and later confirmed by the team.

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McCown was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers one year into his two-year contract he signed last offseason after playing well in a part-time role with the Chicago Bears after Jay Cutler was injured.

Prior to signing with the Browns, McCown had also considered offers from the Buffalo Bills who may be forced to look at trades to address their need for a quarterback to compete with E.J. Manuel or could sign Browns free agent quarterback Brian Hoyer.

The deal is for three years, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler but financial terms were not immediately available. McCown gives the team the veteran presence they sorely need with last year’s first round pick, Johnny Manziel failing to play well in limited time as a rookie and is seeking treatment in a rehab facility.

With Hoyer departing in free agency and Manziel in rehab, undrafted free agent Connor Shaw was the team’s only other quarterback, So McCown is a welcome addition for a team on the cusp of a potential playoff berth if they get solid play from the game’s most important position.

In addition to his play, McCown will be a valuable presence in the locker room with his leadership and strong values influencing the team’s young quarterbacks, especially Manziel who they have much invested in moving forward.

Don’t discount the team drafting a developmental quarterback in the middle rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft with Manziel very much a question mark and McCown turning 36 on the Fourth of July.

In 11 starts last year with the Buccaneers, McCown went 1-10 for the league’s worst team with 2,206 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions on 56.3 percent passing and a 70.5 quarterback rating. He threw 13 touchdowns to only one interception in parts of eight games in 2013 with the Bears.

Cleveland is hoping to see the McCown of 2013 rather than the 2014 version as Mike Pettine looks to build on the 7-9 record he had in his first season with the Browns.

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