NFL Rumors: Browns Must Trade Colt McCoy and Start Brandon Weeden

The Cleveland Browns' selection of Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden with the 22nd overall pick in the 2012 draft has cast doubt over the future of 2011 starter Colt McCoy in Cleveland. Although the team recently shot down speculation that they were shopping McCoy, that's exactly what the Browns should do.

Rumors began floating around almost as soon as Weeden was chosen that the Browns might trade McCoy. There were reports that the team was in negotiations with the Green Bay Packers on a deal that would send McCoy to Wisconsin.

However, Mike McLain of The Warren Tribune-Chronicle reported Sunday that Cleveland's front office denied that there have been any talks concerning the third-year signal-caller. They didn't rule anything out, either.

"

"I can't answer that right now," team president Mike Holmgren said. "Colt is home. He's coming back for his workouts next week. I'm not going to speculate on anything. We'll see what happens."

"We have four quarterbacks that are going to compete," Holmgren said. "That's the way it's always going to be. Who can determine the future. We'd like them all to give it their best shots, and then we'll have to choose."

"

There may not have been any negotiations to date concerning McCoy, but the Browns would be best served to look closely at any offers that may come along if not generate some of their own. Keeping McCoy on the roster now would only compound the mistake the team made when they drafted Weeden.

None of this is meant as an indictment of McCoy, who has had an up-and-down two-year career in the NFL.

Nor is it meant as any sort of commentary on the ability of Weeden, who threw for over 4,700 yards in 2011. But was a foolish pick given the Browns numerous team needs and the fact that Weeden is already 28 years old without ever taking an NFL snap.

However, that ship has sailed, and if they're going to roll the dice on Weeden then they might as well hand him the reins from the get-go. It may be perfectly reasonable (and even preferable in many instances) to bring a rookie quarterback along slowly when he's 21 or 22, but Weeden isn't.

Given his age Weeden needs a crash course in how to be an NFL quarterback. That class takes place under center, not holding a clipboard on the sidelines.

It also may well be that McCoy is best suited for the role of backup quarterback in the National Football League. However, if the Browns hold onto McCoy and demote him that's simply opening the door for additional headaches and controversy down the road, especially if Weeden falters early on.

This isn't to say that Weeden is any sort of lock to be a successful quarterback in the NFL, or that he would necessarily beat out McCoy for the starting job by the shores of Lake Erie. However, you don't pay first-round cabbage to a 28-year-old backup quarterback.

Since the Cleveland front office decided that Brandon Weeded was their guy, they need to stand behind that decision and see if they can get anything in return for trading Colt McCoy.

Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert made their bed. Now it's time for the Cleveland Browns to lie in it.

Follow @IDPManor