The Cowboys are still in the market for a backup quarterback after losing Kellen Moore to a broken ankle. Nick Foles was at the top of that list, but he signed with the Chiefs on Wednesday night. Next up, according to ESPN's Ed Werder: Browns quarterback Josh McCown.
Having lost Nick Foles, #Cowboys move to trade options. Top of that list is #Browns Josh McCown. Sources say Browns reluctant to let him go.
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) August 4, 2016
The Browns' reluctance to part ways with McCown likely has to do with a few things. First, Robert Griffin III is expected to win the starting job in Cleveland, but there's no guarantee he won't flame out after a month. McCown, 37, is a competent backup who can seamlessly transition into a starting role if needed. That's an NFL rarity.
There's also the depth chart behind RG3 and McCown: It includes former undrafted free agent Austin Davis and 2016 third-round pick Cody Kessler. McCown, who started eight games in Cleveland last season, offers some insurance against youth and inexperience at the position.
First-year Browns coach Hue Jackson sounded like he wants to keep McCown around, but he made those comments Tuesday, before the Cowboys lost their backup quarterback.
"He's done a tremendous job and what a good football player,'' Jackson said, via Cleveland.com. "I'm really grateful to have him here and be around him. I think all of the quarterbacks are, too, because he's been outstanding."
McCown said Friday that he wanted to remain in Cleveland, but again, that was before Moore went down in Dallas.
"I'm going to do everything I can to help this team and to be ready to make this ball team,'' McCown said at the time. "That's how you have to play and if you want to be a good player, that's how you approach it anyway. What do I need to do today to solidify my job, to keep my job, and to keep playing at the level I expect to play at? That's my mindset going into camp. I have that kind of focus. It's also to be able to share with these young guys and help get them ready. So that'll be my approach.''
Meanwhile, the Cowboys stumbled through a 4-12 record last season, when starter Tony Romo played in just four games after suffering two shoulder injuries. Since 2014, Dallas is 1-14 when Romo doesn't play, a clear indictment of the names behind him on the depth chart, which have included Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel and Moore. Romo's age (36) coupled with the Cowboys' closing playoff window and owner Jerry Jones' impatience could lead to Dallas overpaying for a player who could conceivably never see the field.
Given that the Browns weren't afraid to move up and down the draft board this spring to acquire picks and young talent in an effort to rebuild a depleted roster, it seems reasonable that the Cowboys could have McCown for the right price.
If McCown-to-Dallas doesn't happen, Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot writes that other candidates to back up Romo include Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon and free agents Michael Vick and Josh Freeman.
