Nov 2, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) throws during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns are reportedly showing interest in Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Browns have “sniffed around” the Bucs signal caller to see what it might take to acquire the 25-year-old.
“One name that was brought up to me more than once in NFL circles: Tampa Bay’s Mike Glennon. Two league sources are hearing the Browns have at least sniffed around on Glennon’s potential availability,” Fowler wrote. “While I haven’t heard of any formal offers, Glennon should be a player to watch in the Browns’ Great QB race — if the Bucs are willing to part with him.”
It still remains unclear if the Bucs actually have interest in trading Glennon. The team recently cut Josh McCown after one dismal season and Mike Kafka is no longer with the team either. In fact, McCown is scheduled to meet with the Browns this week.
However, the Bucs are expected to draft either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota first overall in the 2015 NFL draft, thus making Glennon potentially expendable.
Bucs head coach Lovie Smith recently said that Glennon could still be the team’s franchise quarterback.
“Yeah, I think you can definitely say that Mike can be the quarterback that can play at a high level in this league,” Smith said told nfl.com. “And I mean, we only have one quarterback on our roster. If you look at the comments I’ve made about him, yes, I think he can be that guy.”
Jason Licht also chipped in saying, “we want him to be part of the future; we like him a lot.”
The Buccaneers have options when it comes to Glennon.
They could trade him now, draft either Mariota or Winston and sign a more experienced back-up. They could also use Glennon as a stop-gap to make sure Winston or Mariota are ready when they fully take the reigns.
Finally, if Smith truly believes Glennon could be the team’s franchise quarterback the Bucs could trade the No.1 pick and move forward with Glennon.
In 19 career games, Glennon has thrown for 4,025 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while completing 58.8 per cent of his passes.