josh mccown was meant to be a short-term answer to a long-term problem with the Cleveland Browns. The team has run through quarterbacks like squirrels rummage through garbage, continuously searching for the lucky target they can never find -- in this case, a starting-caliber quarterback. McCown did the best he could during his tenure, but it ended on Tuesday when he was one of two players released by the team.
The transaction
McCown signed a three-year contract with the Browns back in 2015. This upcoming season, Cleveland would have been forced to pay him $3.625 million, in addition to a $750,000 bonus for being on the roster.
With the team seeing no future with the quarterback, they decided Tuesday was the day to part ways with him.
In addition to cutting McCown, the Cleveland Browns also released starting defensive back Tramon Williams, who also joined the team in 2015. The former Green Bay Packers cornerback started 22 games over the past two seasons, making 105 tackles and two interceptions. He was due to make $5.7 million next year, though, plus a $1.3 million bonus, so the team had to cut him.
McCown's past and future
McCown started 11 games over the past two seasons for the Cleveland Browns, throwing for 3,209 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also played in relief of other quarterbacks, including Johnny Manziel and Robert Griffin III.
He only threw six touchdowns and six interceptions this season, however, before suffering a collarbone fracture that kept him sidelined for much of the season.
McCown stated that he has an interest to play in 2017, so the 37-year-old's career may not be over. He would likely go to a team in need of a veteran backup quarterback, such as the Dallas Cowboys (if they part with Tony Romo) or the Miami Dolphins.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns will continue to live in the quarterback malaise they have been in seemingly since the start of the franchise; they will potentially draft one in the first round of the NFL Draft, unless they feel comfortable moving forward with Cody Kessler.
