Josh McCown Signs with Cleveland Browns

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released veteran journeyman quarterback Josh McCown after a disappointing 2014 campaign in which he failed to establish himself as a viable starter. He generated interest from multiple teams on the open market before reaching an agreement with the Browns on Feb. 27.

Continue for updates.

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Browns Agree to Terms with McCown

Friday, Feb. 27

The Browns announced on Friday that they've reached an agreement with McCown. Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reported that it's a three-year deal.

Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News reported on Thursday that the Bills were meeting with McCown regarding a contract; however, the Browns were able to lock him up instead.

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McCown Meets with Bears

Wednesday, Feb. 18

The Bears' official Twitter feed confirmed McCown was meeting with the Chicago Bears for breakfast, as  one of his visits with the eight teams who Ian Rapoport reported have shown interest in the quarterback.  

McCown commented on the meeting, via Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune: “It was a great meeting. It was good to sit and talk with them and be able to evaluate what they have to offer. It was very positive.”

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Multiple Teams Interested in McCown

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Multiple teams are reportedly interested in bringing him aboard, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport:

McCown said that "at least a half dozen teams" have already showed interest in him, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

Rapoport also analyzed the implications of McCown's release:

It comes as little surprise that more than one club is interested in acquiring him because the QB free-agent market is extremely thin.

The 2015 NFL draft class is headlined by Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. Beyond those two, the consensus is that there are no viable franchise-caliber passers.

When the 2014 campaign ended, McCown emphasized that he wasn't thinking about what the Buccaneers might do with the No. 1 overall draft pick, via ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas:

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There's a whole crop of guys coming and then the next year there's going to be a whole crop of guys coming again and again and again. That's just part of this game. How you approach the game and being a pro is what keeps you in this game. I don't really get caught up in where we're picking and all those things. I know this: You've got to build your team through the draft and you've got to hit on your picks.

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An overall dearth of open-market and draft alternatives may offer McCown the opportunity to start despite an underwhelming display in 2014. CBS Sports' Pete Prisco is among those who doesn't believe in McCown:

But McCown does have above-average athleticism, plenty of experience and can at least make the case that he was dealt a bad hand in Tampa Bay.

The Bucs offensive line ranked last in run blocking and 29th in pass protection, per Football Outsiders. On the other hand, McCown did have two big receivers in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans to throw to.

McCown tossed 13 touchdowns and one interception in eight games with the Chicago Bears in 2013.