Cleveland Browns: Will Jake Delhomme Accept Backup Role in 2011?

The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation continues to be a hot topic after multiple reports place both Jake Delhomme and Colt McCoy at the "players only" workouts this past week in Ohio.

McCoy has been labeled as the quarterback of the future and is widely considered to be the starter for the 2011 season.

However, Delhomme has the biggest salary out of all three of the quarterbacks on the Browns roster and also has the most experience heading into a potentially shortened training camp.

So would Delhomme still be around if he did not expect to start next season?

The Browns still have Delhomme under contract until the end of the 2011 season and will likely try to restructure his deal once a collective bargaining agreement is reached.

Both Delhomme and Seneca Wallace have publicly said that they want to be a starter in the NFL and neither signal caller seems content with sitting behind Colt McCoy.

Delhomme played very poorly with Cleveland last season as the 13-year veteran threw only two touchdowns opposed to seven interceptions and suffered six sacks.

Although limited by a high ankle sprain, Delhomme only played in five games and ended the season with a passer rating of 63.4.

Many would say that Delhomme is reaching the end of his professional career as many teams will likely be looking for youth to lead their franchises forward.

The Browns may still get significant value out of Delhomme if he would be willing to accept a second or third-string role and even be a "player coach" to McCoy and any other young talents the Browns may acquire. 

The Browns currently have four quarterbacks on the roster but will only carry three heading into the 2011-12 season.

Jarret Brown is the fourth player listed on the quarterback depth chart and will be fighting for the third spot if Delhomme is retained next season.

However, if Delhomme is released or traded by the club this summer, expect the Browns to acquire another quarterback to compete at the tail end of the depth chart.