Robert Griffin III

5 replacements for Robert Griffin III in Cleveland

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Robert Griffin III has suffered a serious shoulder injury Week 1. Here are five replacements for Griffin in Cleveland.

In his first start with the Cleveland Browns, quarterback Robert Griffin III might have ended his career. After lowering his shoulder into an Eagles defender, RGIII has a broken bone that has forced him onto IR.

This means it’s time for the Browns to consider their next play, with RGIII out. The most obvious play is to tank and then draft Deshaun Watson with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. They can’t do that until April, though, so who should they turn to in the meantime?

5. Geno Smith

Orchestrating a trade with the New York Jets for backup quarterback Geno Smith would be a desperate play by the Browns, but Cleveland might now be in the boat. Smith was once a great gunslinger for the West Virginia Mountaineers in college, but has failed to do much of anything in the NFL in three seasons.

Perhaps this has more to do with being in a defense-first football culture with the Jets. Smith’s head coach for the first two seasons of his career was Rex Ryan. Few coaches in the league are as defensive-minded as Rex, and that was a detriment to the development of Geno’s offense.

Smith’s only other NFL head coach has been Todd Bowles — another defensive minded stalwart. While Bowles has brought stability to the Jets by going 10-7 in his first 17 games as head coach, he too is defensive-minded. Chan Gailey’s offensive system seems to be very niche, as not all NFL quarterbacks tend to thrive in it.

New York will go with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center until something else changes. The Jets already have two other work in progresses at quarterback in injured Bryce Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg. Maybe it is time to trade a third quarterback project for a Browns draft pick? Cleveland will bite on Smith if it doesn’t have any other quarterback options on the market.

Oct 12, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Michael Vick (2) throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

4. Michael Vick

There is another dual-threat playmaker available on the free agent market. Might the Browns consider bringing in former Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles signal caller Michael Vick in for a visit?

Vick last played for the 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers. He had to play in a few games last season when Steelers starter Ben Roethlisberger was out with an injury. Vick isn’t the same dynamic on-field presence he was in his 20s, but the Browns have gone dual-threat with their last two starters: Griffin and Johnny Manziel.

The former Virginia Tech great has an elite arm that will cut through the harsh winds associated with playing outside in the AFC North. In his last few years, Vick has shown that he can game-manage and let the running game open up the pass.

Cleveland may have a lot of issues in terms of personnel, but its young offensive weapons might need a veteran presence under center to bring out the best in them in 2016. Vick would provide more locker room stability than what Griffin showcased while with the Washington Redskins.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) gestures during a press conference following the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

3. Colin Kaepernick

The San Francisco 49ers have a dual-threat quarterback just sitting on the bench in the early part of the season in the former of Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick has made headlines with his political stances this summer, but has lost the 49ers starting job to Blaine Gabbert.

New 49ers head coach Chip Kelly will need some time to figure out which signal caller is best with this new football team, but it’ll be hard to pass up a trade offer from the Browns for Kaepernick. San Francisco can get by with Gabbert at least for this year, maybe next, before drafting UCLA Bruins’ Josh Rosen in 2018.

Kaepernick initially wanted to play for Jackson and Hamilton with the 2016 Browns. Jackson succeeded the last two years with Andy Dalton under center as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamilton is best known for working with Andrew Luck.

Kaepernick is an expensive backup and might not get the opportunity to start in 2016 if Gabbert at least treads water with the 49ers. Cleveland could use an upgrade at quarterback with Griffin going on injured reserve. Maybe the 26th time is the charm for the Browns with Kaepernick?

JACKSONVILLE, FL – AUGUST 20: Mike Glennon

2. Mike Glennon

While the Browns struggled at the quarterback position on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a coming out party of sorts for their franchise quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston looked fantastic against the Atlanta Falcons in victory during Week 1.

With Winston as the future in Tampa Bay, might it be time to sell high on his strong backup Mike Glennon? Glennon has started for the Buccaneers in 2013 and 2014 before giving way to Winston in 2015.

Having a quarterback that passes with precision is exactly what the Browns should be looking for in a replacement for Griffin. Glennon is nowhere near as mobile as Griffin, but this is a good thing for the Browns should they inquire with Tampa Bay about him in a trade.

Entering 2016, Glennon was viewed by many in the league as a top-five backup in the game today. He’s good enough to start under center for a terrible team. His skill set and Cleveland’s demand for yet another quarterback could make this an interesting temporary solution for the Browns.

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 30: Josh McCown

1. Josh McCown

In all honesty, Cleveland has to go with Josh McCown the rest of the way. This isn’t because they absolutely have to, but rather that he is the best backup quarterback in the NFL. McCown is a journeyman signal caller that is elite at learning new offenses.

He thrived in Marc Trestman’s all-out aerial assault with the 2013 Chicago Bears before becoming the Buccaneers starter in 2014. His stint in Tampa Bay was terrible, as the Buccaneers went 2-14 and got to pick Jameis Winston No. 1 overall as a result in 2015.

McCown went to the Browns last season and was the Week 1 starter before an arm injury shortened his season. He’s not going to be the clown show that was Manziel in 2015. McCown brings a veteran presence and stability to a young Browns receiving corps.

Signing Griffin might have been a flash move to keep Browns fans interested before an inevitable rebuild in 2016. McCown can groom this young offensive weapons for Jackson before Cleveland makes a serious upgrade at quarterback in 2017.