The Cleveland Browns have quarterback questions.
Thank you, Captain Obvious. But, really, the Browns currently have veteran free agent signee Josh McCown and last year's No. 22 overall pick Johnny Manziel as the top two quarterbacks on the roster. McCown, may I remind you, was benched last season by the team that is about to pick first in the NFL draft. Manziel, meanwhile, is finishing up a stint in rehab at the moment. Will either quarterback be able to hold down the fort in 2015 or will Cleveland try to make a splashy move at the position before they are forced to find out the answer to the question?
"I think the Browns are fully prepared to start McCown this year, but they will continue to look for chances to upgrade the position," Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com wrote. "I think they'll try to trade up to draft Marcus Mariota, and I also think they could make another run at Sam Bradford on draft day. If they don't land one of those two, I do think McCown will be their man in 2015. They are also big on Connor Shaw, who could start games for them this season if necessary. As for Manziel, they'll see what happens when he gets out of rehab soon. At this point, I don't think they can get much in a trade. Maybe Jerry Jones is still interested."
Manziel is expected back in time for offseason workouts that begin on April 20. However, the jury is still out on whether he can be productive at the NFL level. Manziel passed for just 175 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns in five game appearances last year.
Would Bradford or Mariota be a better fit? Are either even realistic options? The Rams traded Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles and it's unknown whether Chip Kelly would be willing to flip him again just like that. It could be just coach speak, but Kelly has repeatedly said that Bradford is now his guy.
Mariota is expected to go No. 2 overall, whether it's to the Tennessee Titans who own the pick or to a team that trades up for him. The Browns do have two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 19), but they'll likely have to compete with a host of others teams trying to nab Mariota. Moving up is a long shot at best.
One thing is for sure, Cleveland's quarterback situation will be one of the most interesting storylines to monitor this offseason.
