Could Browns Trade Brady Quinn?

With Derek Anderson still the starting quarterback after an abysmal 2-for-17 performance (yes, the Browns won even though Anderson completed just two passes), it would seem that it his job forever (forever, ever? Forever, ever) no matter how poorly he plays. So what do they do now with Brady Quinn? One possible answer: trade him.

With the trading deadline looming Oct. 20, it wouldn’t be surprising if Quinn went the way of Braylon Edwards and was dealt to another team. [...]

... Quinn is stuck on the bench, where he’s watching $11 million slip away. This year was the last chance for Quinn to hit the escalators in his contract that would’ve earned him an additional $11 million -- on top of the $9.2 million over five years in his base contract. The only stipulation was that he had to take 70 percent of the snaps -- which is highly unlikely unless Anderson gets hurt.

Quinn would’ve needed to start about 11 games this season to hit the 70 percent. He’s played in only 21/2 games with little chance of getting on the field anytime soon.

Quinn would most likely be happy about a trade if it meant he got to play, and while there isn’t exactly a huge market for a someone with a 1-5 record that can’t beat out Derek Anderson (reminder: Anderson has thrown five interceptions and has a league-worst 39.0 rating; that’s who Quinn can’t beat), he’s only making $1.72 million this season. A small price to pay for a team in need of a backup QB (and assuming he doesn’t reach that 70 percent plateau, he’s due to make $2.08 million next year). But where would he go?

There are a few teams that could use quarterbacks, but they’re in such disarray that it’s not on the front burner right now. Washington and Carolina have quarterback issues, but also coaches on the hot seat. JaMarcus Russell is struggling in Oakland, but the Raiders are unlikely to come after Quinn.

The Browns obviously are a happy to make a trade (see: Winslow, Kellen; Edwards, Braylon), but right now there may just not be any teams willing to take a chance on Quinn.

If Cleveland does move the former Golden Domer, it would mark the eighth time since 1999 that the Browns would have traded away or released a first-round pick. Like Andrew said, Cleveland is busy teaching everyone how not to build a successful NFL franchise.