Taking a look at all 24 Cleveland Browns starting quarterbacks since the team returned in 1999.
It is official: Robert Griffin III is the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 2016, the 25th quarterback who will start a game for the Cleveland Browns since the team was brought back home in 1999. While it is unknown what the future will bring with Griffin taking the snaps, most will agree that those who have gone before the 26-year-old at the position have been less than impressive.
Many are still skeptical of what the former Washington Redskin can bring to a Browns offense that has struggled seemingly forever. But what may assure them that signing Griffin and naming him the starter was the right move is a look back at the previous twenty-four quarterbacks who started before him.
Although the common denominator with each of these starters is that none ended up becoming the desired franchise quarterback, each had his ups and downs and, in some cases, many more downs. Throughout the past 273 games and 17 seasons, 24 quarterbacks have started games for the Browns. On average, each quarterback started just over 11 games, not even a complete season.
As head coach Hue Jackson leads the fresh feeling of optimism surrounding Berea, it is an ideal moment to reflect upon the struggles Cleveland quarterbacks have endured for the last 17 years. Ranked from 24th on up, here are the top Cleveland Browns quarterbacks since 1999.
Next: No. 24: Johnny Manziel
Johnny Manziel, 2014-2015
The swirling controversy around the Cleveland Browns ever since the 2014 NFL Draft has largely involved former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. After sitting out most of the 2014 regular season, Manziel became the 21st starting quarterback in franchise history in Week 15 when the Browns hosted the Bengals. Not only was his play in the 30-0 loss atrocious enough to land him the bottom spot on the list, the distraction he created for a team that was bound for a winning record was possibly an even more damaging factor.
The pressure created by fans and teammates who were allies of Manziel on the Browns coaching staff was enough to force them to play the rookie when Brian Hoyer experienced only minor adversity. The 2014 Browns were once 7-4 with Hoyer, and still had a winning record when the coaches made the move, only to finish 7-9.
2015 was no better for Manziel, even though some would claim that he improved as a football player. The off-the-field distractions the rookie caused were even more detrimental than his seven interceptions in eight overall starts. Constantly getting involved in scandals which normally included some sort of alcohol or drugs, Cleveland finally grew weary of the circus, as the new Browns front office released the young, troubled player in March 2016.
The Manziel era will always be linked to head coach Mike Pettine, the off-the-field distractions and the pitiful conclusion to one of the more promising Browns seasons in 2014. This, along with his well below average quarterbacking lands Manziel at the bottom of this less than prestigious list.
Next: No. 23: Spergon Wynn
Spergon Wynn, 2000
One of the most forgotten names in Cleveland Browns franchise history is that of quarterback Spergon Wynn. The 2000 sixth-round draft pick played in seven games for Cleveland during his lone season with the Browns, which included just one start.
His career in Cleveland is very forgettable, as Wynn completed under half of his passes for a total of 167 yards and no touchdowns. In his one start, the Browns fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars by a final of 48-0. No further explanation is needed why Wynn is ranked among the lowest of the lowly Cleveland quarterbacks.
Following his career in Cleveland, Wynn played portions of the 2001 season with the Minnesota Vikings, where he had little success. He then moved on to a decent career in Europe and in the Canadian Football League, before retiring from football and becoming an energy broker where he now resides in Houston, Texas.
Next: No. 22. Ken Dorsey
Ken Dorsey, 2008
The story of Browns quarterback Ken Dorsey is one of the more unlikely. In a way, his journey is motivational, as the long-term backup who bounced around the league likely never anticipated getting the opportunity to start an NFL game. But sure enough, due to a revolving door at quarterback in 2008 fueled by injury after injury, Dorsey got his opportunity.
Dorsey first arrived in Cleveland after he was traded from the San Francisco 49ers for Trent Dilfer. Spending the 2006 season as the third string quarterback, he had one pass attempt the entire season. Dorsey was then released at the beginning of the 2007 season.
But he wouldn’t be out of work for long, as the feisty young career backup got another opportunity just weeks later after Cleveland traded Charlie Frye to the Seattle Seahawks. However, Derek Anderson’s breakthrough 2007 season made it appear unlikely that Dorsey would ever get an opportunity to start.
That chance eventually came though, as Anderson was injured on November 30, 2008. Dorsey was named the starter for the remainder of the season, in which he threw seven interceptions and no touchdowns, as the Browns lost all three games. An injury prevented a Week 17 start, opening the door for Bruce Gradkowski.
Overall, not much was expected of Ken Dorsey, and not much was delivered. He went on to become a backup quarterback in the Canadian Football League, before retiring in 2011. Dorsey’s professional attitude and inspiring road to the starting position keeps him out of last place on this list, but his rather pathetic play still makes him one of the worst Cleveland quarterbacks of since 1999.
Next: No. 21. Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Gradkowski, 2008
As proven with Ken Dorsey previously, the 2008 Browns season was not only one of the worst ever, but one of the strangest of all-time. The unlikely rise to the starting quarterback position was not unique to any one player, as many went through this same process, surprising many.
Bruce Gradkowski was yet another example of this, making just one start in his career in Cleveland. Signed as a third string quarterback after Derek Anderson’s injury in early December, Gradkowski received his shocking opportunity following injuries to both Brady Quinn and Ken Dorsey.
Starting the Week 17 finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gradkowski became the fourth starter for Cleveland in the 2008 season. He completed just 7 of 21 pass attempts, threw for three interceptions and no touchdowns. Not surprisingly, the Browns lost the game.
The only reason Gradkowski’s near historically poor performance doesn’t secure him the bottom spot on this list is due to the fact that the game was meaningless, and nothing was expected of a starter who just joined the active roster three weeks earlier. Regardless, Gradkowski’s stop with the Browns was not a memorable one, as he was one of the more forgettable quarterbacks on this list.
Next: No. 20: Thaddeus Lewis
Thaddeus Lewis, 2012
One of three starting quarterbacks in Cleveland Browns history who only managed to start one game was Thaddeus Lewis. Lewis spent 2011 as a backup with Cleveland, before being released during the 2012 season.
However, his journey to becoming a starting NFL quarterback was only just beginning. Two days after he was waived, Lewis was signed to Cleveland’s practice squad, for what was expected to be the remainder of the 2012 season.
However, Lewis unexpectedly rose to the active roster when both Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy were injured. He started a Week 17 game in Pittsburgh, finally getting the opportunity he always coveted.
In his lone start, Lewis made the most of what was given to him, completing 22 of 32 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown. The Browns lost the meaningless game 24-10, and the Week 17 third-string-starter tradition began.
Despite his decent performance in his lone start, Lewis was released the following offseason and never appeared in another game for the team.
Next: No. 19: Luke McCown
Luke McCown, 2004
Throughout his long NFL career, Luke McCown has proven that he is the epitome of a career backup quarterback. With this in mind, it is a safe assumption to make that McCown felt right at home during his 2004 rookie season with Cleveland.
This isn’t to criticize the journeyman, as there have been worse quarterbacks who have played for the Browns, believe it or not, but his four starts with the team were not exactly anything to write home about, as no Cleveland victories were achieved.
Unlike many of the quarterbacks on this list, McCown was actually drafted by the Browns in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. However, similar to many on this list, this quarterback’s Cleveland career was limited to a single season. Playing in five games and starting four, McCown completed 48 of 98 pass attempts, throwing for four touchdowns and seven interceptions. After the season, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Later in his career, McCown would eventually have a small amount of success during his time with the Buccaneers, Jaguars, Falcons and Saints. His rookie season laid the foundation for an NFL career, even though it was a miserable one by typical standards. McCown wasn’t very good to say the least, but he did only play one season in Cleveland, his rookie season, and had almost absolutely no hope of having a productive season considering the team that surrounded him.
Next: No. 18: Austin Davis
Austin Davis, 2015-present
The 24th and most recent starting quarterback in Browns history is another mostly forgettable one, Austin Davis. Though Davis shattered most of Brett Favre‘s records at Southern Mississippi, his professional career hasn’t exactly panned out the way he intended. After two brief stints with the Rams and another with the Dolphins, Davis is currently competing for a spot on Cleveland’s 2016 53-man roster.
The two games Davis started were both last season, as the Browns were defeated by the Bengals 37-3, and the Steelers 28-12. Davis threw three interceptions and no touchdown passes in these starts. While this may not be the end of his career in Cleveland, Davis is currently among some of the most disappointing quarterbacks to play in Cleveland.
The only other game Davis appeared in was after a Josh McCown injury on a Monday night game against the Baltimore Ravens. Chosen to replace McCown over Johnny Manziel, Davis led the Browns down the field with under two minutes remaining, throwing a game tying touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin.
He then nearly heroically capped the impressive performance, setting up a game winning field goal attempt by Travis Coons. But unfortunately, the kick was blocked and returned for a touchdown, overshadowing Davis’s solid performance.
Still, the impression the young player has made on Cleveland fans is not any different from some of the others toward the bottom of this list. It seems unlikely Davis will make the roster with Cody Kessler being drafted, but as is evident based on the paths some of the past Browns quarterbacks have taken to become the starter, no one can be certain when one’s career with Cleveland is truly over.
Next: No. 17: Ty Detmer
Ty Detmer, 1999
When the Browns returned in 1999 and drafted Tim Couch first overall, they wanted a mentor to groom the young quarterback into a player who they thought would have a very long and successful career in Cleveland. This mentor, acquired in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers, came in the form of Ty Detmer.
Detmer started the first game of the 1999 season, before Couch took over. With Detmer on the sidelines, Couch learned from the veteran, making strides in his first NFL season. Unfortunately however, Cleveland had one of the most historically bad offensive lines during their first season back, a 2-14 campaign.
Couch was challenged physically, and remarkably came just shy of completing an entire season. His sprained foot in Week 15caused him to miss the final game of the year, which Detmer started. In that game, Detmer injured his right Achilles and ending up missing the entire 2000 season, never playing for Cleveland again.
The Browns were 0-2 in Detmer’s only starts, but unlike some other signal callers on this list, Detmer wasn’t horrific. He completed 47 of 91 pass attempts, throwing four touchdown passes and two interceptions. His expertise assisted Couch in his progression, but beyond a single season with the team, Detmer was ineffective at best. If the quarterback will be remembered for any of his nine-year career, it wouldn’t be the two seasons he spent in Cleveland.
Next: No. 16: Doug Pederson
Doug Pederson, 2000
Doug Pederson actually started eight games for the Cleveland Browns, which is quite surprising for two reasons. One, because to many Cleveland fans, the name has completely escaped their memory. And two, given the injury-prone nature of Cleveland quarterbacks at the time, it was an accomplishment to make it through a single game healthy.
Though Doug Pederson brought relative stability at the position for once, what he didn’t bring was a fantastic arm or great skills in any asset of the game. Pederson’s record was 1-7 in his eight starts, completing just over half of his pass attempts. His real problem was his touchdown-to-interception ratio, getting the ball in the end zone just two times compared to his eight picks thrown. When Tim Couch was ready to come back, Pederson left Cleveland and joined Green Bay, retiring from there in the 2004 season.
What may be left out of his career accomplishments when it’s all said and done is his short stint with Cleveland. But Pederson, who began working his way up the coaching ladder directly following his retirement, is by no means done with football.
The 48-year-old was hired as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles on January 18, and will coach his first season in the NFL this coming season. The former Browns quarterback will coach his first regular season game against the Browns on September 11.
Next: No. 15: Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme 2010
For whatever reason, the Browns thought it would be a good idea to sign veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme in March of 2010 and hold an open competition in training camp. In this competition, Delhomme ousted Seneca Wallace and rookie Colt McCoy to become the starter. However, the decision to name the former Carolina Panther the starter was only the beginning of a revolving door at quarterback.
In the second quarter of Cleveland’s season opener against Tampa Bay, Delhomme injured his ankle, and was out until Week 5. When he got another opportunity to play for an injured Seneca Wallace, Delhomme re-injured his ankle. Then, as McCoy got an opportunity with both Delhomme and Wallace sidelined, he suffered the same fate of a high ankle sprain. Delhomme was the starter again, but not for long. The veteran started five games during the 2010 season, and then was released.
Overall, Delhomme didn’t do quite as poorly as some on this list, winning two out of his five starts. He completed 93 of 149 pass attempts, a reasonable percentage. But Delhomme’s struggles came, like many other Cleveland quarterbacks, in the red zone. He threw only two touchdown passes in five starts while getting picked off seven times.
After his lone season in Cleveland, Delhomme went to Houston for a year before wisely calling it a career. Like many quarterbacks previously mentioned, Delhomme’s brightest days were away from Cleveland.
Next: No. 14: Connor Shaw
Connor Shaw, 2014
The highest ranking single-start quarterback on this list comes in the form of Connor Shaw. The former South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback was one of the better in school history, as coach Steve Spurrier even compared Shaw to Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. Spurrier was also a very vocal supporter of Shaw during his time in Cleveland.
But even though Shaw spent two full seasons in Cleveland, the young quarterback only got the opportunity to start a single game. Injuries derailed his career, highlighted by a torn ligament in his thumb in a preseason game against the Redskins in 2015. The injury required surgery, and signaled the end of Shaw’s tenure in Cleveland.
What Shaw did do though was impress in his one start. It was Week 17 in Baltimore, and the Browns were seeking their first non-losing record in seven seasons.
While he didn’t provide an explosive offensive spark, the young Connor Shaw gave Browns fans hope with a tough performance against a division rival. The 22nd starting quarterback in Browns history played through pain and impressed the Browns enough to take a further look at him the following season.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned surgery ended Shaw’s 2015 season, and therefore his time in Cleveland. On June 30 of this year, Shaw announced his release through Twitter, and was quickly claimed by the Chicago Bears.
Next: No. 13: Seneca Wallace
Seneca Wallace 2010-2011
One of the most likely reasons for the trade the Browns made with Seattle involving Seneca Wallace and a 2011 seventh-round draft pick was to unite the former Seattle quarterback with Mike Holmgren.
While Wallace did not win the starting job, he wasn’t on the sidelines for long, replacing Jake Delhomme in the first half of the 2010 season opener. However, after four consecutive starts, Wallace would go on to be the second of three Cleveland quarterbacks in 2010 to sprain their ankle, exiting a Week 5 contest against the Atlanta Falcons.
Apparently, Wallace found a way to impress the Browns in four starts in 2010, as they signed him to a three year contract extension in March of the following offseason. He then started three more games in the 2011 season, dropping all three and mostly struggling. At the conclusion of the 2012 preseason, Wallace was waived by the Browns, and his NFL career concluded the following season with the Green Bay Packers.
Even though Wallace went just 1-6 with the Browns, he was far from the worst Cleveland quarterback on this list. He threw six touchdown passes and four interceptions, a much better ratio than most on this list. Additionally, it is important to consider his role in a struggling offense, as he played in one of the more difficult times in Cleveland’s franchise history.
Many fans ridicule Wallace, and the regime which brought him in, but Wallace held his own during a difficult period to be a member of the Browns.
Next: No. 12: Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia 2004
The Browns quarterback situation rarely found much stability in the early to mid 2000s, as the post Tim Couch era brought a slew of trades for quarterbacks along with free agency signings.
One of these signings came in early March of 2004, when the Browns thought they had a future at the quarterback position in Jeff Garcia. A former 49er, Garcia was a Pro Bowler from 2000-2002, a foreign concept to Cleveland quarterbacks at the time.
Though he didn’t perform to his capabilities during his time in Cleveland, Garcia provided a reasonable amount of stability to a position that so desperately needed it. He started 10 games in the 2004 season, winning three of them. Garcia completed 144 out of 252 pass attempts, throwing 10 touchdown passes against 9 interceptions. Quite possibly the most memorable play Garcia made was a 99-yard touchdown pass to Andre Davis to propel the Browns over division rival Cincinnati.
Due to injuries and inconsistency, Garcia was released by the Browns following the 2004 season. Garcia was a productive quarterback, but needed teammates around him to shine, and demanded solid protection from his offensive line.
The Browns could not provide either of these necessities for Garcia, which explains his struggles in Cleveland. Like most others on this list, Garcia’s career as a whole will not be remembered for his time as a Brown, but some of the other stops along the way where he was successful.
Next: No. 11: Charlie Frye
Charlie Frye 2005-2007
After the 2004 season, the Browns were desperately searching for a franchise quarterback, a reoccurring theme throughout the decade. Drafting Charlie Frye in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft was not a bad pick, considering what Cleveland got out of Frye.
Though Frye didn’t start at the beginning of his rookie season, he got the opportunity to start his first game against the Jaguars in Week 13. Frye started the last five games of the 2005 season, and the Browns won two of them.
The door was open for Frye to be Cleveland’s starting quarterback n 2006, which he was for the most part. A quarterback who many didn’t expect to be a starter at the NFL level, Frye led a poor Cleveland team to 4 wins in his 13 starts.
Though his completion percentage was over 60 percent, he struggled with turnovers, throwing 17 interceptions against 10 touchdowns. Like Garcia and many other Cleveland quarterbacks, Frye was dealt a difficult hand in 2006. With the exception of star wideout Braylon Edwards, Frye had few options. The offensive line was also poor, leaving Frye’s health in danger.
In 2007, Frye edged out Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn in an open training camp quarterback competition, but struggled in the opening quarter of the opening game against Pittsburgh. He was replaced by Derek Anderson who went on to have a Pro Bowl season, and Frye never played for Cleveland again.
Overall, Frye provided some valuable longevity to the quarterback position, starting for more than an entire season in total. But like many others who went before him, Frye’s downfall came rather quickly, and his exit from Cleveland wasn’t delayed long. Still, many Browns fans actually appreciated the young quarterback for what he did in his short tenure as a Brown.
Next: No. 10: Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell 2013
Before the 2013 season, the Browns were searching for a quarterback to back up Brandon Weeden, and mentor their young promising player. Signing Jason Campbell to a two-year contract in March of 2013, it was expected that Cleveland had found the player to fill that role. Instead, as often is the case in Cleveland, the quarterback situation deteriorated quickly. An injury to Weeden allowed Brian Hoyer to make his first career start in Week 3, but the first Hoyer era didn’t last long after he tore his ACL.
Jason Campbell made his first start as a Brown in Week 8 against the Chiefs. Although Cleveland lost the game 23-17, Campbell’s performance was viewed favorably as he threw for 293 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. This earned him an additional start the following week in Cleveland against the Ravens.
In his first home start, Campbell defeated the division foes by throwing for 262 yards and three touchdowns, including two to receiver Davone Bess. The performance warranted him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Campbell then went on to start the next six games, losing all six, but making the most of his opportunities. Overall, Campbell threw 11 touchdown passes compared to eight interceptions during his eight starts in Cleveland, all in 2013. In March of the following year, the Browns released Campbell despite the veteran presence he brought to the team, later drafting Manziel.
Next: No. 9: Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy 2010-2011
Colt McCoy was the 85th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, a third-round selection by the Cleveland Browns. The University of Texas graduate was not expected to play in his first season in Cleveland, and was often doubted due to his lack of size. Though the goal was to sit McCoy for his rookie season, the Browns were not able to achieve this due to early season injures to two of their quarterbacks, Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. All of a sudden, the third string quarterback at the beginning of the season was thrust into the starting role for the Week 6 game in Pittsburgh.
McCoy completed 23 of 33 passes in his debut, a loss to the Steelers. Many fans were impressed with the rookie even so, and he earned himself another start the following week. Week 7 of the 2010 season was when the apex of McCoy’s career began. The Browns stunned the NFL with two consecutive upset victories, one over the defending champion New Orleans Saints, and the next over the New England Patriots. Cleveland then went on to fall to the Jets in overtime, a fourth consecutive game in which McCoy played very well.
After that, however, injuries began to plague the rookie’s promising career. In Cleveland’s victory over Jacksonville, McCoy injured his ankle, and his career would never be the same. Concussions throughout his next two seasons with the Browns kept him on the sidelines for the majority of each year, and McCoy was traded to the 49ers after a 2012 season spent backing up rookie Brandon Weeden.
Colt McCoy is a unique Browns quarterback because it appears that his three seasons in Cleveland were the best of his career. McCoy was criticized for a variety of shortcomings, but it reality, he never really had a chance with the team that surrounded him. This, coupled with injuries and bad timing, prematurely ended what looked to be a promising career.
Since McCoy led the Browns during the best two week span since before the team left, he finds himself in the top ten on this list. But like most Cleveland quarterbacks, he left with much to be desired.
Next: No. 8: Brandon Weeden
Brandon Weeden 2012-2013
After a spectacular college career as an Oklahoma State Cowboy, Brandon Weeden was drafted late in the first round of the 2012 draft by the Browns. Named the starter over Colt McCoy in his rookie season, Weeden got an opportunity right out of the gate to prove himself as what many Browns fans thought he was destined to be: their next franchise quarterback.
Weeden got off to a very rough start, with one of the worst performances in Cleveland quarterback history in the opening week loss to the Eagles. Weeden threw four interceptions and no touchdowns, while posting a dismal 5.1 passer rating. The rookie improved though, and led the Browns to 5 wins in his 15 starts in 2012.
Weeden was then named the starter entering the 2013 season, impressing experts around the entire league during his limited preseason action. But in Week 2 against Baltimore, Weeden injured his thumb during a collision, breaking up his second season. Brian Hoyer played very well in his place, winning the next two games,but then then went down during the Week 5 Thursday night game against the Bills. Weeden was back, and led the Browns to a thrilling victory in primetime.
From there however, it was all downhill for Weeden. He finished 2013 with a total of nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Weeden was released during the offseason, and then spent time with the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. Overall, Weeden did not play poorly by the Browns quarterbacks standards. His time in Cleveland was cut short due to injuries and roster availability, and he is currently pursuing a career as a backup quarterback.
Next: No. 7: Brady Quinn
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.
Next: No. 6: Trent Dilfer
Trent Dilfer 2005
As the Browns sought to mold rookie Charlie Frye in the 2005 season, they went after a veteran quarterback who could both start immediately as well as mentor Frye. This addition came in the form of Trent Dilfer, whom Cleveland traded for from Seattle before the season.
Dilfer started right away, as Frye observed from the sidelines. The storied former Tampa Bay Buccaneer started 11 games for Cleveland, completing approximately 60 percent of his pass attempts. He threw 11 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions, leading the Browns to four wins. At the completion of 2005, Cleveland traded Dilfer to San Francisco.
In hindsight, Dilfer’s career in Cleveland was mediocre at best. The Browns didn’t make the playoffs, didn’t achieve a winning record and Frye really didn’t turn out to be the quarterback they hoped he would.
But what the veteran Dilfer did do that is so unique about any former Cleveland quarterback is stabilize the quarterback position for a time. His calming veteran presence and experience made everybody relax a bit during such a difficult time for the Browns organization.
Dilfer’s time in Cleveland is mostly forgotten in the grand scheme of his career, as he won a Super Bowl with Baltimore and had great success with Tampa Bay. But as far as Cleveland quarterbacks since 1999 are concerned, Dilfer is up there with the best of them.
Next: No. 5: Josh McCown
Josh McCown 2015-present
Signing with Cleveland for what was expected to be the final stint of his NFL career, Josh McCown likely didn’t expect to win the starting job so easily coming out of training camp in 2015. He was partially brought to Cleveland to mentor Johnny Manziel, but when Manziel was still not mature enough to start for Cleveland at the beginning of 2015, McCown was thrust into the role.
McCown’s time as a Brown didn’t get off to a fabulous start, as he suffered a concussion on the first possession of the opener in a loss to the New York Jets. To add insult to injury, he also fumbled on the goal line during the play. In Weeks 3-5 however, McCown returned, and made his presence known.
In back-to-back losses against the Raiders and Chargers, McCown threw for over 300 yards in each game, with four scores and just one interception. The next week against division foe Baltimore, the veteran set a Browns record with 457 passing yards in a 33-30 overtime victory on the road. His performance also marked the first time in NFL history that a quarterback threw for more than 450 yards, two touchdown passes, a rushing touchdown, and no interceptions.
The rest of 2015 was injury plagued for McCown, who sporadically started. His absence opened the door for Johnny Manziel and Austin Davis, who were both less than impressive. McCown is still on the roster to begin the 2016 season despite trade talks, and is expected to back up Robert Griffin III and mentor rookie Cody Kessler.
His consistent production in the limited snaps he has taken as a Brown is part of what puts him in the top five of this list. His professional attitude and veteran presence is the other reason he finds himself here, being a true mentor who undoubtedly can make a difference even when he isn’t on the field.
What likely made McCown so effective was his height, as the Browns haven’t had many quarterbacks stand at 6-foot-4 inches tall. While Cleveland hopes McCown won’t be needed in 2016, they can have confidence that the 37-year-old will step up if called upon. He is truly one of the better quarterbacks in Browns history, and the fifth best since 1999.
Next: No. 4: Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer 2013-2014
One of Cleveland’s most loved yet most despised quarterbacks of all time is Brian Hoyer. Signed to a two-year deal before the 2013 season, Hoyer’s opportunity to start came early, as starter Brandon Weeden went down in Week 2. Starting the first game of his career in Week 3, Hoyer led the Browns to a 31-27 upset victory in Minnesota. He also led the game winning drive in the victory, capping it with a touchdown pass to Jordan Cameron.
Hoyer followed the performance up in Week 4 with another strong outing, defeating the Bengals and setting the Browns’ record at 2-2. Unfortunately though, Hoyer was injured the following Thursday night in a victory over the Bills.
The Browns were 3-2, but without the player that helped them get there the most. Cleveland was later informed that the ACL injury would cause the quarterback to miss the entire rest of 2013, a season that would not unfold well despite its promising start. Weeden and Campbell started the remainder of the games, and Hoyer was mostly forgotten about.
After Weeden and Campbell were released, Hoyer became the starting quarterback to begin 2014. In his contract year, the undrafted quarterback led Cleveland to a 7-4 start including several very impressive performances. Highlights of one of the better starts in Browns history included the largest road comeback in NFL history, along with upsets over division rivals Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
Even during this exciting season though, controversy swirled around who the starting quarterback really should be, with rookie Johnny Manziel on the bench. When Manziel finally got the opportunity over a slumping Hoyer, the Browns were walloped 30-0 in his debut. At this point, Cleveland had squandered a promising season led by Hoyer, and the fan favorite moved on after 2014 as his contract expired.
Even in the midst of a bizarre 2014 season, Hoyer impressed fans with his fortitude. He also put up reasonably solid stats during his time in Cleveland, one of very few quarterbacks since 1999 to finish with a winning record.
Next: No. 3: Kelly Holcomb
Kelly Holcomb, 2001-2004
One of the longest standing playoff droughts in football today is currently occupied by the Cleveland Browns, who have failed to compete in the postseason for 13 consecutive seasons. In fact, the Browns haven’t won a playoff game since returning in 1999, and have only had one opportunity.
The 2002 Browns team who last made the postseason was led by a combination of Kelly Holcomb and Tim Couch. Both quarterbacks had a lot to do with the team’s success, but it was Holcomb who took the snaps in the Wild Card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For this reason alone, Holcomb will always be one of the most storied Cleveland quarterbacks of since 1999. In a 36-33 loss at the hands of Pittsburgh, Holcomb put up some of the best statistics a Browns quarterback has in any game ever, passing for 429 yards and three touchdowns.
Holcomb went on to start eight more games for Cleveland the following season, winning just two of them with a poor team surrounding him. But for Browns fans so desperate for a title, Holcomb’s herculean effort in their last postseason game with all odds stacked against him will always be remembered.
He also provided a solid couple of years behind Tim Couch, helping him grow into one of the better Cleveland quarterbacks. For these reasons, Holcomb is one of the better Cleveland quarterbacks since 1999.
Next: No. 2: Tim Couch
Tim Couch 1999-2003
As the number one overall draft pick in 1999, Tim Couch was expected to be the first franchise quarterback of the new Cleveland Browns. Though it didn’t quite work out that way, the reason for Couch’s short career was not entirely due to a lack of talent on his end, but to a team surrounding him that was poorly crafted and poorly coached. Couch fought through many injuries which were brought about mostly due to an obvious lack of pass protection, and never was the same after spending five seasons with the Browns.
In the midst of all of these struggles however, Couch did manage to start 59 games in the five-year span, by far the most of any Cleveland quarterback since 1999. He finished 22-37, but with 11,131 passing yards and 64 touchdown passes. Couch’s longevity is mostly the reason for his high ranking, as his play in the regular season led the Browns to the playoffs in 2002.
Though he will never be regarded as one of the better quarterbacks in NFL history, and he may not be appreciated by many Browns fans, what Couch brought was stability to the quarterback position. This has yet to have returned to Cleveland’s organization, and often, Browns fans would be satisfied with just another Tim Couch.
The expectations were high and Couch didn’t deliver, but the lack of success the Browns had during the era was due to players and coaches other than Couch. All expectations aside, Couch actually had a decent career all factors considered, and will go down as one of the more talented quarterbacks in Browns history.
Next: No. 1: Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson 2006-2009
The most successful Cleveland Browns quarterback since 1999 may not be a household name for many, but will always be remembered by Browns fans. Derek Anderson was signed by the Browns in 2005, but never saw much action until his first start in 2006. While he got off to a slow start in his second yea,r losing all three of his starts, Anderson had easily the best season of any Browns quarterback since 1999 in 2007.
Leading the Browns to a 10-6 record and falling just short of a postseason berth, Anderson completed 298 of 527 pass attempts for 3,787 total yards, and 29 touchdowns against 19 interceptions. The impressive season by Anderson ultimately earned him a Pro Bowl bid.
Anderson backed up his spectacular 2007 with a respectable 2008, before struggling in 2009. The former Brown then went on to spend one season with the Arizona Cardinals, before joining the Panthers where he remains a backup to this day.
While many Browns fans may disagree with Anderson being the team’s top quarterback since 1999, he is the only legitimate option for the honor. Anderson’s 2007 season has yet to be matched by any Cleveland quarterback since.
Though Anderson had one of the better careers for a quarterback in Cleveland, his time as a Brown was not always considered positive, and his stats, though solid, can be topped. With the bar being set rather low, the hope for Robert Griffin III is that he can top all 24 quarterbacks on this list, and become Cleveland’s first true franchise quarterback since 1999.