2:04pm: McQuistan’s two-year deal with the Browns is worth $3MM, with $750K in guaranteed money, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
12:04pm: According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, McQuistan’s deal, which has now been confirmed by the team (via Twitter), is for two years rather than one.
11:21am: The Browns have reached an agreement to sign offensive lineman Paul McQuistan, reports ESPN’s John Clayton (link via ESPN.com’s Terry Blount). According to Clayton, the two sides have agreed to terms on a one-year contract.
McQuistan, a former third-round pick, has spent the last three seasons with the Seahawks, starting 40 games for the club since 2011. In 2013, he started the season off at left guard before moving to left tackle for several contests as an injury replacement. McQuistan returned to guard down the stretch, but was only a part-time player, appearing in just 63 offensive snaps during Seattle’s playoff run.
As Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com tweets, GM Ray Farmer and the Browns are “intrigued” by McQuistan’s versatility and ability to play both guard and tackle. Still, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), the 30-year-old would be much better off at one of the guard spots. McQuistan has posted middle-of-the-pack grades as a guard, but ranked 71st out of 76 qualified tackles last season, according to PFF.