Cleveland Browns Shouldn't Consider Trading QB Colt McCoy

Though Cleveland Browns team president Mike Holmgren, general manager Tom Heckert and head coach Pat Shurmur all claim that first-round draft pick Brandon Weeden will have to compete with Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace for the starting quarterback job, it seems at this point that Weeden will be the man under center barring any unforeseen circumstances.

There's no reason, however, for the Browns to try to trade McCoy this year if Weeden wins the starting job. It would be just the kind of short-sighted knee-jerk reaction the Browns must avoid making.

Weeden might be 28 years old—older than McCoy—but he's still an NFL rookie who needs mentoring. Yes, Wallace could assume that role, and he's already said he's up for it, but while Wallace may be able to provide Weeden with valuable professional knowledge, he's not the Browns' best choice to back him up.

In the months leading up to April's draft, the Browns were strong in their belief that McCoy could remain the team's starting quarterback, though they did so in the same breath as praising Weeden, whom they ultimately selected 22nd overall.

They never did discuss Wallace much when it comes to the starting job, which clearly indicates that Heckert, Holmgren and Shurmur would prefer if Wallace doesn't take the field in 2012.

Therefore, should Weeden struggle or suffer an injury, the Browns will be in far worse shape if they have to rely on Wallace instead of McCoy.

McCoy is still working to master the team's offensive playbook and should make some noticeable progress this offseason. Wallace, while familiar with the way Holmgren does things, is certainly the less-preferred option to be Weeden's No. 2. He's a veteran based on experience, but he's a No. 3 quarterback based on his talent.

Yes, the hope is that Weeden can start from day one and make it all the way through the season without injury or the kind of first-year hiccups that can get a rookie pulled from the game. But even if that is the case, a proper insurance policy behind Weeden is necessary, and that's simply not Wallace.

Next year, should Weeden perform as he is hoped to, then it may be more favorable to both the Browns and McCoy to pursue a trade. But to do so this offseason would be the incorrect move.

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