With the Browns continually searching for options at quarterback, unrestricted free agent Geno Smith has been linked to them.
The Browns and Los Angeles Chargers are interested in Smith, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday. Smith’s visit this past weekend to the New York Giants “went extremely well,” Rapoport also said on the air.
It remains to be seen to what extent the Browns are interested in Smith, who spent the past four seasons with the New York Jets after they drafted him in the second round (39th overall) out of West Virginia in 2013.
Wherever Smith lands, getting his career on track will be a major undertaking.
As a rookie, he went 8-8 as a starter, but he’s gone 4-10 since and is 12-18 overall.
Smith, 26, hasn’t finished a game he’s started since 2014. He appeared in just one game in 2015 after a teammate punched him in the face and broke his jaw. This past season, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament Oct. 23 against the Baltimore Ravens.
He told NFL Network on Feb. 27 he “should be on schedule to be full go during [training] camp” this summer.
Smith has been rehabilitating at Proactive Sports in Santa Ana, Calif. He’s also been working with throwing guru Tom House, a noted ally of Browns coach Hue Jackson.
He told the network he’s open to being a backup but his goal is to start.
“I was brought into this league, I was brought to the Jets to be a certain caliber of player,” Smith said. “Being injured for two years has kind of taken that away from me. My mistakes were shown on the field the first two years, and then me getting better has kind of been behind the scenes.
“The next time I step onto the field, it’ll be what they expect. People want to see you get better, they want to see you move past your mistakes. I’ve done that, just behind the scenes.”
On the market
Chase Daniel became the latest quarterback on the open market Monday. Daniel requested his release from the Philadelphia Eagles after they struck a two-year deal with Nick Foles to back up Carson Wentz. The Eagles granted Daniel’s wish.
Daniel, 30, is 1-1 as a starter.
Watching the Crow
At least three teams have inquired about Browns running back Isaiah Crowell, ESPN reported.
The Browns assigned a second-round tender to Crowell as a restricted free agent. So should Crowell sign an offer sheet from another team and the Browns decline to match it, they would receive a second-round pick as compensation.
If Crowell plays under the tag, he would make $2.7 million with the Browns in 2017.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.