As we wait for Chicago’s anticipated agreement with offensive lineman Ted Larsen to become official, here are several Thursday morning updates from across the NFC North:
- After visiting the Jets on Wednesday, linebacker Bruce Carter heads to Detroit for a visit with the Lions, according to Connor Hughes of USA Today. The veteran free agent has displayed some versatility, playing both inside and outside linebacker in 4-3 schemes, which could appeal to the Lions.
- Rick Spielman is among the observers in attendance at TCU’s pro day, and as Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune tweets, it’s probably not a coincidence that the Vikings general manager keeps showing up at pro days for top wide receiver prospects. Per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Minnesota will bring in TCU’s Josh Doctson and Ole Miss wideout Laquon Treadwell for a closer look next week.
- Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com suggests that the Bears ought to find a way to add some depth at quarterback behind Jay Cutler, pointing to the draft as one way the team could land a QB. Dickerson also wonders if ex-Bear Josh McCown might be a fit in Chicago if he’s released by the Browns.
- According to Lions GM Bob Quinn, Marvin Jones‘ impressive route-running and his “very good” hands were among the traits that most appealed to the team. Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com has the details and the quotes from Quinn, who explained why the Lions felt comfortable investing heavily in the free agent receiver this offseason.
mc mown a great addition for the Bears
Why would the Browns ever release McCown? He is the best QB on the roster, a great presence at QB and as far as I’m concerned is the starter going into the season, if he’s not, then a quite capable backup for RG3, who isn’t exactly Iron Man. He’s also on a very reasonable contract. If the Bears would like to trade for him (conditional 5th round or 6th round pick), that would be the more likely scenario… If the Browns do in fact drop him, the accusations of being a “baseball teardown” would be 100% accurate in my opinion.
The Browns currently have RGIII, Austin Davis, and Connor Shaw in addition to McCown, and will almost certainly draft a QB, so you can see how McCown could become expendable for a rebuilding team. Having said that, I think it’s far more likely he’d be involved in a Mark Sanchez-esque trade (conditional late-round pick) rather than being released outright.
Exactly. Plus, they like both Davis and Shaw as backups, though they likely aren’t starting material. Also, they have already said that signing Griffin will not prevent them from drafting a QB at #2, and RG3 said that the team told him that and welcomes them to do so.
I agree McCown is expendable. No reason to outright release him is my point when he clearly has value.
I don’t see why the Browns would take Wentz or Goff at number 2 overall.. With either Joey Bosa, Laremy Tunsil or Jalen Ramsey available, I would imagine they take one of those guys. The Browns defense was the reason for the poor record in 2015, not QB play (as has been suggested over the 2015 season and this off-season). Goff and Wentz would be ranked after Marriota and Winston, no reason to reach. The Browns are going to suck even if RG3 comes in and plays as if he’s Superman. Browns need a couple years of “best available” picks in order to contend again… I hope McCown is traded (for anything really), but don’t outright release him. Conditional late round pick is probably the way to go. I would imagine there is significant interest in McCown as a backup to teams like the Cowboys, Broncos, Bears, Packers maybe, any team that is in contention that does not have a borderline average backup QB.