Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine has admitted that veteran Josh McCown is the favourite to be the club's starting quarterback for the 2015 campaign.
The 35-year-old struggled immensely in his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2014 season as he guided the club to a 1-10 record in his 11 starts.
As a result, McCown was released but he was soon signed by the Browns as they faced uncertainty over their quarterback position after Johnny Manziel checked into rehab for personal problems.
Pettine has conceded that it would be "fair to say" that McCown is the favourite for the starting spot at the moment, but has insisted that the race is far from over.
He added on WKRK-FM: "We're a ways away from just kind of worrying about how the depth part of it shakes out. We don't really kind of get into depth charts and where guys are.
"I'm not going to get into pencilling in guys and say, 'Hey, this guy's a starter.' We thrive on competition. I'm not prepared to make that statement yet."
McCown threw for 2,206 yards and 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions in the 2014 season for the Buccaneers.
