Browns release quarterback Josh McCown

NFL teams are starting to make moves now that the Super Bowl has concluded. On Tuesday the Browns announced that they released quarterback Josh McCown. The news was first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

This past season, McCown played in three games and started in five for the Browns. He lost his starting job due to injuries. In the time that he did play, he completed 90 of 165 pass attempts for 1,100 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.

McCown was a free agent pickup by the Browns in 2015 and he ended up turning in the best season of his long career. The frequent NFL journeyman actually broke a franchise record when he threw for 457 yards against the Ravens in his only win as a starter for the Browns. However, his play wasn’t consistent by any stretch of the imagination.

In 13 total games in Cleveland, McCown completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 3,209 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Questions have been raised as to whether McCown will continue playing or decide to retire. Part of that was because of what Hue Jackson indicated this past December:

“He’s made of the right stuff,” Jackson said via ESPN’s Pat McManamon. “He knows what it takes to coach and play in this league, and he’s going to be a rising star in this profession if that’s what he chooses to do.”

That same day, McCown said, “My plan is to play. I have another year left on my deal. So right now, that’s the plan.”

“We’ll obviously get away,” McCown added. “I’ll get with my family and discuss that and see where that leads us. But right now, that’s the plan.”

McCown signed a three-year contract to join the Browns in 2015, and was due to be paid $3.6 million with a $750,000 roster bonus in 2017.

The Browns finished out the 2016 season with Robert Griffin III under center, and some mock drafts have had the team taking Clemson’s Deshaun Watson with the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

On Tuesday, Cleveland also parted ways with defensive back Tramon Williams.