To many, the signing of Robert Griffin III to the Cleveland Browns settled the starting quarterback battle, but Josh McCown isn’t ready to surrender the starting job.
“Right now, it’s come in and compete and show up, so that’s what I’ll do,” McCown said on PFT Live. “If that changes, that changes, and I’ll go to that next place and compete there as well. . . . I’ll go with that mindset, and if they see differently and I am traded or moved along, I’ll appreciate my time there and then go embrace the next opportunity.”
Although McCown, who started eight games for the Brown last season, wants to win the starting job, he’s willing to accept a backup role if it’s given to him. In his eight starts, he completed 63.7 percent of his passes, with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. The Browns record under his lead was just 1-7.
McCown gave a pretty understanding and reasonable view towards things with PFT Live:
“You want to compete and you want to have a shot to play, and so if a guy comes in and he’s perceived to be the starter, as a competitor, you don’t like that. But at the same time, understand that when you go through a coaching change and a restructuring of the organization, they’re going to do whatever they can to help this football team be better. And so as a Cleveland Brown, I’m all for that and I’m behind that 100 percent, so we welcome Robert into the quarterback room as a part of our team, and I’ll do everything I can to help Robert.”
That’s a pretty good mindset to have, especially when playing for a franchise that tossed him around with Johnny Manziel last season. The 36-year-old clearly understands where he’s at in his career right now, but is still showing that competitive fire.
He also wants to see the Browns win, no matter what. “For us to put a good quarterback on the field who can be productive and help our team win, that’s our ultimate goal,” McCown said.
Surely new head coach Hue Jackson is glad to hear that coming from the position that will probably give him the most trouble in 2016.
