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Mike Pettine comfortable with Josh McCown as his starter

ByFanSided Staff|
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

Josh McCown may be the starter for the Cleveland Browns in 2015 according to head coach Mike Pettine

The Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Josh McCown earlier this year to a 3-year deal with up to $20 million available to make. It was previously thought that the Browns might use McCown as a backup if they could snag one of the many quarterbacks in the NFL draft or sign a deal with a quarterback in free agency this off-season. But now head coach Mike Pettine doesn’t see a reason McCown can’t be the starting quarterback in Cleveland.

McCown spent last season on a struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers team. But the blame for the Bucs troubles can hardly be placed solely on McCown. After all, the Bucs running game was miserable, their wide receiver core lacked depth and their offensive linemen allowed opposing defenses to sack McCown 36 times. These are not really winnable conditions for any quarterback who is not named Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, or Peyton Manning.

Also, McCown might make the most sense for the Browns this year. It’s not like they can really compete with any of the other teams in the AFC North as the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals were all playoff teams last year. The last thing Browns fans probably want to hear is that it is a “rebuilding year” but this is really their only option unless they have the most successful off-season in free agency signings and trade deals in the history of professional sports. So for now, McCown might be there best option.

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The way I see it, McCown is a cheap yet viable filler position at quarterback. If the Browns can develop a good run game early and play solid defense, I like McCown as a game manager. Additionally, his contract, which only guarantees $6.25 million is just about as frugal as you can go for a quarterback like McCown.

Also, when the Browns do find their franchise quarterback, McCown will still be around for two more years. His contract would extend until the 2017 season, where he could be the back up quarterback to whomever the Browns find to replace him in the coming years.

Don’t freak out just yet Browns fans. Your head coach might know what he is doing after all. Just be patient and let the Mike Pettine era unfold. The good years are certainly ahead of you. Then again, that is not saying too much given the Browns past.

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