Hue Jackson downplays Josh McCown trade rumors: ‘There is nothing to it’

The Cleveland Browns aren’t ready to move quarterback Josh McCown, at least if coach Hue Jackson is to be believed.

“I have no thoughts, whatsoever,” Jackson said Thursday when asked for his thoughts on the rumors linking McCown to the Dallas Cowboys, via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. “You said it, it’s rumor. There is nothing to it as far as we’re concerned. I’ve heard about it, obviously I have, but I feel good that he’s here. He’s a Cleveland Brown and I know nothing else about the other part of it.”

Jackson thinks he would know if McCown were being pushed in trade talks.

“I would hope so,” Jackson said. “I would hope so. I would think I would know exactly what’s going on. I feel very good about where we are and what we’re doing, and right now, there’s nothing to report or talk about.”

McCown is said to be a top trade target for this team desperate for a backup. The Browns may just be playing hardball here, but it’s clear that there’s work to do to get a deal done.