It's assumed that general manager Tom Heckert and coach Pat Shurmur will be jettisoned as soon as the season is over as the Browns clean house under new owner Jimmy Haslam and chief executive officer Joe Banner.

Could quarterback Brandon Weeden be the next to lose his job?

According to Tony Grossi of ESPN Radio in Cleveland, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is believed to be Haslam's first choice to coach the Browns. If that happens, McDaniels may want to have his own guy at quarterback who is familiar with his system.

Two sources told The Boston Globe that, under the scenario that McDaniels is hired, "the chances are good" that the Browns will attempt to trade for Patriots backup Ryan Mallett and install him as the franchise quarterback. That would mean Weeden would be reduced to a backup role or released just one season removed from being the 22nd overall pick.

Mallett, a third-round pick by New England in 2011, has played in four NFL games. He has size (6 feet 6 inches, 245 pounds) and a big arm but not much experience. Mallet has thrown four passes and completed one for 17 yards.

Weeden, a 29-year-old rookie, has yet to prove he's a franchise quarterback but he is far from a first-round bust. He's shown potential on downfield strikes to Josh Gordon. The concern with Weeden has been his instincts. He's thrown 17 interceptions (third-most in the NFL) and has had 21 passes batted down (leads the league).

The Broncos, who play the Browns on Sunday, were thinking of taking Weeden in the draft before they signed Peyton Manning, according to the Denver Post. Once they had Manning, Weeden didn't fit Denver's profile as a developmental quarterback because of his age.