Cleveland Browns: Colt McCoy's 5 Realistic Replacement Options

After the way the Cleveland Browns offense has performed so far into this season, some fans are starting to believe that quarterback Colt McCoy should be replaced next season.

Barring any injury, Colt McCoy will remain the starter for the rest of this season. It is important that McCoy gets an entire season of starts under his belt for the team to correctly evaluate his potential and playing ability.

Some of McCoy's offensive struggles can be attributed to poor play on the offensive line and a lack of playmakers at the wide receiver position. However, he has made also been known to hold onto the ball too long, make poor decisions and not hit open receivers.

McCoy's size is also an area of concern for some fans.

Here is a look at five realistic replacement options for Colt McCoy next season.

Jason Campbell

Current Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell is a very realistic option that the Cleveland Browns could consider as a replacement for Colt McCoy next season.

Campbell, who is out with a broken collarbone, will be a free agent after the 2011 season. After Campbell sustained his injury, the Oakland Raiders traded two potential first-round draft picks for former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer.

After giving up so much for Palmer, the Raiders are likely to stick with him next season as they continue to develop Terrelle Pryor as an NFL QB.

Campbell, who is 6' 5" and 230 pounds, is only 29 years old. He has seven years of pro experience and would be a huge upgrade in size over McCoy. His rushing ability would also be very useful in sparking the Browns' offense. If he was teamed up with Peyton Hillis in the Cleveland backfield, opposing defenses would have a lot more to think about.

Signing a quarterback through free agency would also allow the Browns to improve their talent at wide receiver with their draft picks.

Vince Young

Another quarterback who might draw interest from the Browns as a replacement for Colt McCoy is Philadelphia Eagles backup Vince Young.

Young is another big, mobile quarterback who might be ready for another shot at a starting role after serving as Michael Vick's backup this season.

Young would also be a huge size upgrade over McCoy. Young stands at 6' 5" tall and 232 pounds. He served as the Tennessee Titans starting quarterback from 2006-2010. In his last season as a starter in 2010, he played in nine games and posted over 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. He finished that season with a quarterback rating of 98.6.

Needless to say, Young has the skill set to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. His experience and size would both be welcome additions to the Cleveland Browns offense.

Kyle Orton

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton has fallen out of favor in Colorado. After five mediocre starts, he has been replaced by Tim Tebow as the starting quarterback.

However, as recently as 2010, Orton was a solid starting QB. In 2010, he passed for 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns along with nine interceptions. That came only one season after he threw for 3,802 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Those are elite numbers for most quarterbacks not named Brady and Rodgers. Orton is a prototypical pocket passer. He has great arm strength and has the ability to get the ball downfield which is an area in which the Browns are currently struggling.

Orton will most likely be looking for a new team as a free agent considering his recent benching in Denver. He is still relatively young at only 28 years old and could have a resurgence if given the chance in a new town.

Matt Flynn

Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn will be a free agent after this season. It would not be a surprise if he signed with another team that is looking for a starting quarterback as he is currently stuck behind NFL superstar Aaron Rodgers.

That fact is both a blessing and a curse for Flynn. While he is able to learn from one of the most successful quarterbacks in the league, he is also unlikely to play as long as Rodgers is healthy.

Flynn was able to get two starts last season when Rodgers was out with a concussion. His best game came against the New England Patriots that season when he threw for 251 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

Although he is similar in size to McCoy, Flynn could potentially be an upgrade for the Browns as quarterback. Having learned from the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Flynn might just be ready to step into a starting role and succeed.

Landry Jones

Landry Jones is currently the starting quarterback at the University of Oklahoma. He is projected to be selected in the Top 15 in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Browns will most likely have a pick in the first 15th and could select Jones and make him their new starting quarterback.

Although it is unlikely that the Browns will hand the reins over to another rookie quarterback, Jones has the skill set to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL. He has a huge arm and brings an impressive presence in the pocket to whatever team he plays for.

So far this season, Jones had thrown for 3,094 yards, 26 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. His stronger arm and height would both be upgrades over Colt McCoy.

While a new quarterback would probably help improve the Browns offense, the fact-of-the-matter is that one player will not fix all the problems with the team. If the Browns want to improve next season, they must continue to draft well and bring in some players that are improvements over what they currently have. 

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