AP

When the Browns signed quarterback Robert Griffin III, it was widely expected that Josh McCown would be traded or released. But McCown says that his expectation is still that he’ll remain in Cleveland and compete with Griffin for the starting job.

“Right now, it’s come in and compete and show up, so that’s what I’ll do,” McCown said today on PFT Live. “If that changes, that changes, and I’ll go to that next place and compete there as well. . . . I’ll go with that mindset, and if they see differently and I am traded or moved along, I’ll appreciate my time there and then go embrace the next opportunity.”

McCown realizes that most people see Griffin as the starter. He doesn’t want to sit on the bench behind Griffin, but if that’s his role, he’ll accept that, too.

“You want to compete and you want to have a shot to play, and so if a guy comes in and he’s perceived to be the starter, as a competitor, you don’t like that,” McCown said. “But at the same time, understand that when you go through a coaching change and a restructuring of the organization, they’re going to do whatever they can to help this football team be better. And so as a Cleveland Brown, I’m all for that and I’m behind that 100 percent, so we welcome Robert into the quarterback room as a part of our team, and I’ll do everything I can to help Robert.”

McCown said he’d be happy to play alongside Griffin and hopes the two of them can win together.

“The Browns’ quarterback woes have been well documented. For us to put a good quarterback on the field who can be productive and help our team win, that’s our ultimate goal,” McCown said. “We’ll see how it plays out, but I look forward to working with him.”