NFL Trade Rumors: Trading Colt McCoy for Scraps Necessary for Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns want to trade quarterback Colt McCoy and likely will not seek much in return, according to Evan Silva of NBC Sports.

NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah confirmed the rumors via Twitter:

"

According to sources, the Browns are shopping Colt McCoy and looking for minimal compensation.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) June 16, 2012"

Cleveland picked McCoy in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft, and the University of Texas standout played in eight games during his rookie season.

McCoy was never really given much of a chance to succeed with the Browns, and this was reflected in his statistics. 

In his rookie season, he completed 60.8 percent of his passes and finished with a 74.5 quarterback rating. He tossed just six touchdown passes to nine interceptions.

In his sophomore campaign, he did not show improvement. In 13 games, he completed 57.2 percent of his throws and had a 74.6 quarterback rating with 14 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.

With the No. 22 pick in the first round of this year’s draft, Cleveland took Brandon Weeden out of Oklahoma State.

Weeden attempted to play professional baseball before becoming a college quarterback and is now 28 years old. McCoy is just 25. 

The Browns have invested a first-round pick in Weeden, which means they have to give him a chance as starter at some point. Given Weeden’s age, this must happen quickly if they hope to maximize his talents. 

According to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland, the Browns are reluctant to release McCoy because they failed to put talent around him in his first two seasons and sent him back into a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after he was concussed.

The Browns’ situation gives them little leverage in a negotiation, so the only options they have are benching him in favor of a rookie or trading him for next to nothing.

"My hope is that a dome-based team, or one in a sunny, warm climate, calls the Browns and offers a future conditional draft pick for McCoy. That would be best for him and the Browns," says Grossi.

Finding a trading partner is clearly the best option the Browns have, even if they do not receive much in return.