The quarterback has long been linked to the Cleveland Browns, thanks to his success in limited action while operating an offense called by then-offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who is entering year three of his tenure as Cleveland's head coach. With McCarron under center in place of injured starter Andy Dalton in 2015, the quarterback completed 99 of 156 passes for 1,044 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. As a starter, McCarron posted a 2-2 record, including a rain-soaked playoff game in which Cincinnati was on the verge of winning before a late-game meltdown put Pittsburgh in position for a game-winning field goal.