Cleveland Browns: Ranking every starting QB since 1999
Brady Quinn 2008-2009
Brady Quinn’s NFL career appeared promising, as the former Notre Dame star quarterback was selected by the Cleveland Browns 22nd overall in the 2007 NFL draft. Although he was expected to mold into the Browns’ franchise quarterback, Quinn began his rookie season behind Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye on the depth chart.
In typical Cleveland fashion however, injures allowed the rookie to get an opportunity to play in the final game of the year against the 49ers, a loss.
After leading the Browns to a 10-6 record in 2007, Derek Anderson was once again named the starting quarterback. It wasn’t long, however, before the Pro Bowler was benched to give Quinn an opportunity to start. Quinn played well in his first start, though the Browns were defeated by the Broncos. The following week, Quinn picked up his first victory as Cleveland defeated Buffalo. Unfortunately though, Quinn was injured during the game, eventually leading to season-ending surgery.
In 2009, head coach Eric Mangini‘s first year, Brady Quinn won the starting job over Anderson. However, just a few weeks into his third season, Quinn was benched at halftime in a defeat at the hands of Baltimore. Anderson went on to start the next few games, until Week 10, when Quinn was surprisingly named the starter once again. The Browns went on to have success with Quinn starting, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite a promising future with Cleveland, the Browns traded Quinn to Denver for running back Peyton Hillis at the end of the 2009 season. Overall, Quinn had some very positive moments for the Browns, despite playing in one of the darker eras of franchise history. Unfortunately though, Quinn’s career never turned out as it was intended to.
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