Veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme agreed to a two-year deal with the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.
Delhomme, who visited with the Browns on Thursday, is going to be given every chance to be the starter, reports La Canfora.
The 35-year-old QB was released by the Carolina Panthers last week after seven seasons. He was scheduled to visit the New Orleans Saints on Friday, but his trip was delayed because his flight was canceled, league sources told La Canfora.
The Browns have been actively shopping for a quarterback, a position they haven't been able to adequately fill since their NFL expansion return in 1999. Earlier this week, the team acquired backup Seneca Wallace in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks and released Derek Anderson, who took a swipe at Cleveland fans on his way out of town.
The additions of Delhomme and Wallace sealed the fate of Brady Quinn, who was traded to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The Browns acquired running back Peyton Hillis, a 2011 sixth-round draft pick and a conditional 2012 draft pick in the trade. Quinn was 3-9 in 12 career starts with Cleveland, but some of the former Notre Dame star's inconsistency probably can be attributed to the Browns' lack of talent, as well as coaching and front-office changes in recent years.
Quinn had also been rumored to be on the trading block last year, but the Browns didn't find a suitable deal, and he began the 2009 season as their starter. He was replaced just two-plus game games in by Anderson, who couldn't hold down the job and eventually was benched.
Holmgren knows that finding a competent quarterback is essential to any team's success.
"It's a huge decision," Holmgren said at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. "It's the most important decision on the football team, and the great teams have that guy."
The Browns currently have 11 draft picks, and it's possible they could use a high choice on a quarterback prospect.
Delhomme went 58-40 in seven seasons as the Panthers' starter and led them to their only Super Bowl appearance in his first season. However, he threw 18 interceptions last season and was cut so the Panthers could trim payroll and promote Matt Moore to starter.
Delhomme holds almost every Panthers passing record, and he broke down in tears after he was released last week as he said goodbye to Carolina fans.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.
