Cleveland Browns Will Ensure Crucial QB Competition by Not Trading Colt McCoy

On Thursday night, the Cleveland Browns drafted former Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden with the No. 22 overall pick in the draft.

After they did, it took roughly three-and-a-half seconds for people to start speculating that incumbent quarterback Colt McCoy would be traded. 

It was reported on Friday by the Akron Beacon-Journal (and others) that Browns GM Tom Heckert said the team would at least discuss trading McCoy. It was also reported on Friday that the Browns hadn't discussed anything with anyone yet, which contradicted rumors that were swirling at the time. 

Yeah, it's been confusing. But this tweet today from ESPN's Adam Schefter should clear the situation up:

"

Despite using a first-round pick on Brandon Weeden, the Browns do not expect to trade quarterback Colt McCoy.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2012"

Assuming this is true, we now have even more proof that an organization merely discussing a trade does not mean a trade is imminent. Shocker there, right?

This is also further evidence that the Browns are not run by a collection of numbskulls. Trading McCoy would be easy, but it wouldn't be smart.

I can't say I'm a huge believer in McCoy, but it's in Cleveland's interest to keep him around. Heckert thinks Weeden is going to be the team's starter "eventually," but he doesn't know if Weeden is going to be the starter right away. The organization is obviously intrigued by Weeden's talent, but he's no different from any other rookie (except in age, of course). If he wants to start, he'll have to earn it.

The Browns could have traded McCoy and brought in another quarterback for Weeden to compete with, but McCoy is the perfect patsy for the situation. He's the incumbent starter, which gives Weeden incentive to outperform him later this summer. He's also a guy Weeden very much can outperform, as McCoy is nothing special as a quarterback. Weeden may be old, but he's a guy who at least has the tools to be a special quarterback.

Of course, this competition will motivate McCoy too. Life has been pretty tough for him in Cleveland, and Browns fans love to point out that he's actually done pretty well in his first two seasons given the talent (or lack thereof) around him. Browns fans have a point there. 

McCoy has an edge over Weeden in terms of experience. During training camp, he's going to get to play with a shiny new toy in Trent Richardson and an offensive line bolstered by second-round pick Mitchell Schwartz. If he takes to Cleveland's new-look offense better than Weeden, the Browns would be foolish to remove McCoy as the team's starting quarterback.

It's going to be a fascinating situation to monitor, and it's a situation where the Browns really can't lose. If Weeden wins, the Browns will have a talented rookie starter and a battle-tested backup that they could use as trade bait if they want. If McCoy wins, they'll have an experienced starter with a chip on his shoulder and a talented rookie to bring off the bench.

In other words, they'll have options. A McCoy trade would only lead to fewer options.