Jake Delhomme Signing Signals End of Brady Quinn in Cleveland

Whether you rooted for Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson the last few years in Cleveland, that's all over now.

Jake Delhomme's agent confirmed to the Cleveland Plain Dealer Saturday night that Delhomme has signed a two-year contract with the Browns. Terms were undisclosed as of Saturday night.

Team President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert have come to the mutual decision that Brady Quinn is not the future of the Cleveland Browns.

How much input head coach Eric Mangini had in this decision is unknown, but Holmgren said in his opening statements to the press in January he wouldn't force any player on Mangini.

While Delhomme has a great track record, including a Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl appearance, he also is 35 years old and hasn't been the same quarterback since the 2008 playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, when he had one of the largest meltdowns in the history of the NFL postseason.

His five interceptions and one fumble was "Tin Cup"-worthy in its awfulness, and his breakdown last year is the reason Delhomme now is donning the orange and brown.

This is not meant to be an impassioned defense of Quinn, who had his own uneven performances and accuracy problems in his 12 starts over the past three years.

What every Cleveland fan should be doing at this moment is questioning the Browns' front office like they have every previous incarnation of the franchise.

How is an aging quarterback who is coming off his worst season as a professional going to be the better choice over a young, eager quarterback who has plenty of room to grow?

The bottom line is Holmgren and Heckert owe nobody an explanation, even though the right PR move would be to hold a press conference and at least answer the big question.

The bigger picture is Holmgren and Heckert are duty-bound to put a winning team on the field, and this decision will be the one everybody focuses on as the season progresses.

Quinn most likely will be traded or released within the next few weeks, and the Browns now are duty bound to get as much as they can for him if he is traded.

The last few years of Quinn vs. Anderson are over, and that's a good thing. It would benefit everybody if the next two years don't turn into Delhomme vs. Seneca Wallace.