The Browns acted quickly this offseason on a position that provided frustration throughout the second half of the 2014 season.
Veteran Josh McCown was courted by a number of teams after his release from Tampa Bay and he ultimately chose the Browns as a place where he hopes to compete for the starting job in 2015. At 35, McCown is not only focused on redemption from a tough 2014 campaign, but also maximizing the potential of the team's young quarterbacks, Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw.
"I've got to hone in on this team in this year and play good football and do what it takes for this team to win football games," McCown said last week. "Every guy comes in with the same mindset and intentions and mine will be no different."
McCown's signing with the Browns was one of the first involving a quarterback during the NFL's offseason. Plenty more throughout the league are expected when free agency begins Tuesday.
Here's a look at the landscape under center.
Who's coming back?(2014 stats)
Josh McCown - 11 starts, 184/327, 2,206 yards, 11 TDs, 14 INTs
Johnny Manziel - 2 starts, 18/35, 175 yards, 2 INTs; 29 rushing yards, TD
Connor Shaw - 1 start, 14/28, 177 yards, INT
Who's on the market?
Brian Hoyer - 13 starts, 242/438, 3,326 yards, 12 TDs, 13 INTs
Tyler Thigpen
2014 rankings of note
Passing offense - 216.56 yards per game - 20th
Completion percentage - 54.6 percent - 32nd
TDs - 12 - 32nd
INTs - 16 - T-19th
Top QBs available (Rankings from NFL.com’s Top 101 NFL Free Agents for 2015)
- Jake Locker
- Ryan Mallett
- Mark Sanchez
- Michael Vick
Christian Ponder
Blaine Gabbert
Shaun Hill
Jason Campbell
Tarvaris Jackson
Matt Flynn
Brian Hoyer
Matt Flynn
Jake Locker
Ryan Mallett
Mark Sanchez
Michael Vick
Christian Ponder
Blaine Gabbert
Shaun Hill
Tarvaris Jackson
This article is part of the Road to the Draft series, driven by Liberty Ford.
