Report: Browns ‘exceedingly interested’ in signing AJ McCarron

The Cleveland Browns are in a perfect position to draft one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class, and it sounds like they also have a plan that would allow the rookie to develop rather than starting right away.

Peter King of The MMQB reports that the Browns — and particularly head coach Hue Jackson — would love to sign A.J. McCarron. If they do that, they feel like McCarron would be a viable starter while they remain patient with a rookie QB.

This comes from an executive with a historically reliable ear to the ground: Cleveland, with four picks in the top 35 of the draft, is still exceedingly interested in signing free-agent quarterback A.J. McCarron after the trade-deadline-day debacle last fall … and then backstopping him with a rookie quarterback in the draft. I’m hearing that’s coach Hue Jackson’s preference, having coached McCarron in Cincinnati as Bengals offensive coordinator.

As King alluded to, Jackson reportedly wanted McCarron at the trade deadline last season, but there were rumblings that the team’s front office may have sabotaged the deal. With a new general manager in place, perhaps Jackson now has more support in his pursuit of McCarron.

The Browns have both the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks in the draft. They’re reportedly eyeing a star player who is not a quarterback for the top pick, but it would be somewhat surprising if they didn’t take a QB at No. 4.