Countdown to 2020: Best Cleveland Browns player to wear No. 18

Who is the best player to wear number 18 for the Cleveland Browns?

The countdown to the 2020 NFL season is upon us. With 18 days remaining until the Browns season opener, we continue the countdown by celebrating the best Cleveland Browns player to ever wear number 18: Gary Danielson.

Gary Danielson had already played quarterback in the NFL for eight seasons when he arrived to play for the Cleveland Browns prior to the 1985 season. The reason that the Browns organization traded for Danielson had less to do with his ability as a starter and more to do with his ability to mentor the previous entry in this countdown, Bernie Kosar. Danielson proved to be worth every cent he was paid and then some.

The thought behind bringing Danielson to Cleveland was that he could steady the ship as the temporary starting quarterback for the 1985 season while Kosar got his bearings as a professional. Danielson brought valuable starting experience to the quarterback room having started 52 games while with the Detroit Lions. The move also reunited Danielson with a former teammate and now first-year quarterback coach Greg Landry. By creating cohesion in the quarterback room, with Danielson and Landry being on the same page, the Browns gave Kosar the tools to learn the ins and outs of being a professional quarterback.

What nobody counted on was Danielson’s ability to be effective as the starter. Although his season was cut short due to injuries, Danielson was the starting quarterback for six games in 1985 and the Browns record under the veteran was 4-2. When Kosar was forced into action in the fifth game of the season, due to an injury to Danielson, he was ready for the moment. Kosar’s readiness can be directly be attributed to his ability to quickly assimilate the wealth of knowledge that Danielson and Landry had imparted on the rookie.

Danielson would remain with the Browns through the 1988 season. Although his on-field career was plagued with injuries, Danielson’s biggest contribution to the Browns came from behind the scenes. Kosar himself credits Danielson with playing a large factor in his development as an NFL quarterback.

Danielson’s career as a member of the Cleveland Browns included eight starts, a 5-3 record, 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions, and a 61.7 completion percentage. Even though his on-field exploits for the Browns were limited due to injury, Danielson proved to be invaluable to the organization and to Kosar in particular.

Gary Danielson is the best player to wear number 18 for the Cleveland Browns.