The Cleveland Browns have made it apparent this offseason to upgrade the quarterback position and also add a veteran presence with the acquisition of Tyrod Taylor.

They’re adding another presence as they will be signing Drew Stanton to a two year deal according to his agent Mike McCartney.

https://twitter.com/MikeMcCartney7/status/978044898866708480

A report late last week surfaced that the Browns had Stanton in for a visit but it was clarified by Akron Beacon Journal Browns writer Nate Ulrich that the two sides met in passing while the Browns were on the west coast working out the top quarterback prospects in the NFL Draft.

Stanton is 33 years old and has been in the NFL since being drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Michigan State. He’s been with the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts and most recently the Arizona Cardinals.

He appeared in five games (four starts) for the Cardinals last season while Carson Palmer was injured. Stanton completed 49.7% of his attempts for 894 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. Arizona posted a 3-1 record with Stanton as the starter.

Over his eleven year career, Stanton has appeared in 38 games (17 starts) with a 11-6 win/loss record as a starting quarterback. He’s completed 52.4% of his attempts for 4,059 yards, 20 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.

It’s obvious he’s coming in at best to be the backup quarterback to Taylor for the 2018 season but I also believe he’s coming in to be the mentor to the rookie quarterback the Browns will select with the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

Stanton is no stranger to being a mentor to a #1 overall pick as he was that in Detroit in 2009 for Matthew Stafford and once again for Indianapolis in 2012 for Andrew Luck.

With it most likely being Sam Darnold from USC, there’s somewhat of a connection there as Darnold has been working with Jordan Palmer, the brother of former NFL quarterback Carson Palmer who Stanton backed up in Arizona during the last three seasons.

The addition of Stanton also spells the end of both Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan’s tenures with the organization. Both have been with the organization the last two seasons but none have showed the true potential to be even a long term backup in the NFL.

I don’t see a scenario where the Browns carry four quarterbacks in the regular season but they may keep one of them as an extra arm during the offseason workout programs.