INDIANAPOLIS _ There's a chance the Browns could hang onto quarterback Robert Griffin III, but if things work out the way they hope this offseason, they'll secure an upgrade and probably decide to part with him.
That's the vibe the organization has given this week at the NFL scouting combine.
"Obviously, Robert's on our roster right now," Browns coach Hue Jackson said Thursday at the Indiana Convention Center. "I think there are some things that he did well, some things he needs to continue to improve at and we're going to keep working with him until we don't.
"He's one of the three quarterbacks on our football team right now, and I'm very fortunate we do have some guys under contract right now to work with. But we've got to continue to get him better as he moves forward."
Griffin is due a $750,000 roster bonus March 11. Although it would not be the least bit surprising if the Browns cut Griffin before the bonus kicks in, they could also pay him the bonus and keep him as insurance to see how their hunt for a quarterback materializes.
The Browns must prepare for all scenarios, including an unlikely one in which they would enter next season with nothing other than the three quarterbacks on their roster: Griffin, Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan.
"That potentially could happen," Jackson said. "It all depends how this all unfolds. But I know we're doing anything and everything we can to improve that position."
The reasons for urgency are glaring.
Griffin signed with the Browns last year, entered the season as the starter, suffered a broken shoulder in the opener, missed 11 games with the injury and finished 1-4 as a starter for a 1-15 team.
Although Kessler played earlier in his career than anyone expected and performed well at times as a rookie, the third-round draft pick also went 0-8, suffered two concussions and was benched by Jackson partly because of ineffective downfield passing.
"He played more than what we anticipated he would. I thought he had some really good games," Jackson said. "He got knocked around a little bit. He learned what the National Football League is. I think he will prepare a little bit different, but I like Cody."
Kessler, though, is viewed as a backup. And Hogan, a fifth-round pick last year, has never started in the NFL.
So the Browns will do everything they can to acquire at least one quarterback this offseason, whether it's through a trade, free agency or April's draft, featuring quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky, DeShone Kizer, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes.
NFL Network's Michael Silver, a friend of Jackson, reported the Browns will likely acquire a veteran quarterback and a young QB. The Browns have the first and 12th overall picks, but Silver said on the air Jackson doesn't believe his favorite QB will be available at No. 12.
Asked about trading for a veteran QB, Jackson said, "We're not going to talk about that."
With a deal for New England Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo appearing less realistic, the Browns will undoubtedly monitor whether Buffalo Bills starter Tyrod Taylor becomes available with a decision on his lucrative contract option due March 11.
New Browns quarterbacks coach David Lee is a fan of Taylor. Lee held the same role with the Bills the past two seasons.
"I know people will put those connections together, but (hiring Lee is) not really about that," Jackson said. "I went out and hired who I thought was the best quarterback coach for us, for our organization, and that's why he's here."
Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said he would answer phone calls from the Browns about a trade for backup quarterback AJ McCarron, who spent his first two NFL seasons with Jackson.
Would Jackson call Tobin?
"I can't speak about that," Jackson replied.
Of the quarterbacks scheduled to become unrestricted free agents March 9, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Glennon headlines the list.
