ATL96Steeler
Well-Known Member
Before people really go crazy on how could they sign this guy over Hoyer maybe you should take a look at his contract. Essentially signing Hoyer means you are tied to him for the next few years to be your starting quarterback. He is going to want more guaranteed money than what the Browns want to give him. I mean Hoyer is a decent quarterback but not one that I am excited to be the head of my team for the next 3-years.
McCown on the other hand is essentially a 1-year deal. He gets a little over $5 million this year (that is nothing considering the cap space the Browns have). This gives them another year of seeing Johnny Football and whether he can pull his life together while giving him a mentor and doesn't hurt the team long-term. They can cut McCown after this season with very very little dead money. Throw in the deal they have with him is greatly tied to incentives. So essentially McCown only gets paid if the team does well while he is starting. Otherwise they can cut him or keep him very much on the cheap.
This really isn't a bad deal for the Browns. Gives them a decent veteran who has shown some ability to play at a high level at times. It gives them a mentor. And it gives them the ability to walk away at any point it is not working.
It's not a bad deal, but it's not one that will make the team better this season...Why? B/c McCown is not even decent imo...I doubt that he will start more than 8 games next yr.