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Colt McCoy Destined to Career Backup Role, Making Cleveland Browns Wise to Move On

Colt McCoy doesn't even remember the hit.

On December 9, 2011, James Harrison delivered a blow to McCoy's head that effectively ended his time as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

McCoy stumbled in and out of the Week 14 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers but didn't start another game for the rest of the season. And now, he may not start another game in the NFL for a long time.

The Cleveland Browns selected Brandon Weeden, who is three years older than McCoy, with the 22nd pick of April's draft. 

That's not a great sign for McCoy's future.

The Browns have placed McCoy on the trading block, but his potential suitors will likely be looking at him as just a quality backup option. And that is where his future in the league lies.

Since bursting onto the scene as a rookie in 2010, McCoy has shown little in the way of long-term potential. McCoy's lack of arm strength is the most glaring obstacle facing him in his quest to find the top of another depth chart.

Certain throws are required of a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL. McCoy can't make all of those throws, which limits the offensive play-calling. His 5.9 yards per attempt, which ranked 33rd in the NFL last season, shows his lack of arm strength.

McCoy's physical shortcomings are no secret, either. He was the fourth quarterback off the board in a somewhat uninspiring 2010 quarterback class. A star at Texas, McCoy wasn't highly thought of as a prospect due to his lack of height and arm strength.

But the Browns had faith in him and gave him a fair shot to start, which is all McCoy could have ever asked for. He didn't make much of his chance, though, going 6-15 as a starter, and those results make it unlikely that he will ever be anything more than a spot starter for the rest of his career.

Given the age of Weeden, the Browns have to move on with him under center immediately. McCoy won't fetch much on the trade market, but any value Cleveland can salvage is a bonus. Seneca Wallace will be able to provide plenty of stability at the backup quarterback spot as well, making McCoy even more expendable.

McCoy is never going to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL, and the Browns are wise to move on.

Thumbnail via Facebook/Colt McCoy