Brady Quinn Ends Holdout
Quinn agrees to a $20.2 million, five-year contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Aug. 7, 2007 — -- Brady Quinn has agreed to a five-year contract with the Cleveland Browns worth $20.2 million, with $7.75 million guaranteed, ending his holdout.
The deal could grow to $30 million over five years with incentives.
Quinn, who was on his way to Cleveland to join his teammates on Tuesday, had been working out at an athletic training facility in Arizona while his contract was being negotiated.
Having missed the first 10 days of training camp, Quinn, 22, faces a considerable catch-up period at a position where the learning curve is already difficult. Although he performed in a sophisticated offense at Notre Dame, and under the tutelage of coach Charlie Weis, who is famous for developing quarterbacks, Quinn struggled in the spring workouts and minicamps.
Quinn likely has lost his chance to open the season as the Browns' starter but, given the continuing uncertainty at the position, could still challenge for playing time as the year progresses, particularly if the Cleveland offense sputters. Given the steep price the Browns paid to acquire Quinn, surrendering their first-round choice in the 2008 draft, he must be viewed as the franchise's long-term quarterback hope.
Third-year veterans Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson continue to vie for the No. 1 job this season. Frye was nominally listed as the starter when Romeo Crennel released his first depth chart on Monday, but the Browns' head coach cautioned against reading too much into that.
Quinn's signing leaves two first-round picks -- Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the top overall selection, and cornerback Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets, the No. 14 choice -- without contracts.
The 22nd overall choice in the draft, Quinn departed Notre Dame with 36 school passing and total offense records. He started 46 games and his 29 victories tied a Fighting Irish record. Quinn completed 929 of 1,602 passes for 11,762 yards, with 95 touchdown passes and 39 interceptions.
Although he possesses excellent size (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) and pocket stature, Quinn is a better athlete than most people think, and has good running ability. He was timed at the combine workouts at 4.73 seconds in the 40.
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