INDIANAPOLIS -- Once Browns coach Mike Pettine gave his hilarious thoughts on Cleveland's bid to trade for coach Jim Harbaugh, Pettine was asked about his team's true pressing issue. This offseason is all about finding a quarterback.
(Like so many offseasons before it in Cleveland.)
"I'd always admired Brian (Hoyer) from afar," Pettine said. "I think he's proven he can be successful. But at the same time you are always looking to make your team better."
Pettine was asked to evaluate his entire quarterback position, and Brandon Weeden's name didn't come up at all. So we asked Pettine directly about the team's 2012 first-round pick.
"(GM Ray Farmer) talked about this the other day. We evaluate players based on what they've done in the league. We have our opinion. That's something moving forward as that position shakes out ... will work itself out," Pettine said.
Translation: Weeden has no future with the team. The Browns probably will draft a quarterback and sign a free agent to compete with Hoyer.
Farmer previously said that "in time," Weeden will know where they stand with him.
NFL Media columnist Michael Silver previously reported that Weeden wanted a trade out of Cleveland. Listening to Pettine and Farmer this week, a straight release would not be a surprise.
On the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys speculate on big names who could be cut, then talk offseason forecasts for the Packers and Raiders.
