Cleveland Browns: 5 Worst free agency signings since 1999
By Randy Gurzi
3. All the Quarterbacks
Up until Baker Mayfield arrived, the Browns seemed simply cursed the position. While they continually tried, they just couldn’t find someone to lead the team long-term. However, this wasn’t for lack of trying. In fact, Cleveland even signed three big-name signal-callers at one point or another, and all three failed to work out.
First was Jeff Garcia, who had a decent stretch of seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before landing with Cleveland as a free agent in 2004. Plagued by injury, Garcia completed right around 57 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions while compiling a 3-7 record.
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The next attempt was Jake Delhomme, who signed in 2010 after spending the seven previous seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He was 53-37 in his tenure with the Panthers and even led them to their first Super Bowl appearance. With Cleveland though, he wasn’t the same player. Delhomme started just four games and had two touchdowns with seven interceptions.
Lastly, there was Robert Griffin III. The No. 2 overall pick in 2012 was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Washington Redskins but then things fell off. A knee injury limited his ability to run, which was one of his biggest weapons.
After playing out his career with Washington, RGIII hit the open market and landed with the Browns. Head coach Hue Jackson had some crazy hyperbole about Griffin, but the young quarterback managed a 1-4 record and was out of the league in 2017 before joining the Baltimore Ravens as a backup in 2018.