In the end, it might have been the numbers that mattered most to the Browns. Colt McCoy’s miserable preseason finale on Thursday night didn’t cost him his roster spot with the Browns.
The numbers were finances. Seneca Wallace was released, clearing his salary which was $1.9 million higher than McCoy’s for 2012, and McCoy will stay as the backup to rookie starter Brandon Weeden.
Wallace and McCoy each have made 21 career starts, but Wallace’s career is nearing the end and McCoy might not have yet received a fair trial as a starting quarterback because of injuries and a shortage of talent on the Browns’ roster since he was drafted.
McCoy has 14 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and passer rating of 74.6 in his career.
Barring additional transactions before the Sept. 9 opener, Thad Lewis is expected to be the Browns’ No. 3 quarterback.