UPDATED: 11:11 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Brady Quinn, who was traded by the Browns Sunday to Denver, admitted in an

that he has no idea why the new regime turned the team over to 35-year-old Jake Delhomme instead of him.

"It's really hard to try to figure out what it is," said Quinn. "[Mike] Holmgren has had a lot of success, and I'm sure the decisions he's making he's got a lot of reasons for them and he's doing what he wants to with the team. It's not really for me to question. I'm a Bronco and I couldn't be happier heading over to Denver."

Quinn, the Browns' first-round pick in 2007, was traded to the Broncos for backup running back Peyton Hillis, a sixth-round pick in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012, based on Quinn's playing time.

Quinn said he never asked to be dealt or released, even when team president Holmgren made it clear he was actively looking for quarterbacks.

"No, there was no request for a trade," said Quinn. "The first I learned about it was when [General Manager] Tom Heckert informed me of it [Sunday afternoon]. But when they signed Jake to the deal that they did [$7 million in 2010 according to a league source], the writing was on the wall."

Quinn, who went 3-9 as a Browns starter amid constant turmoil, was asked if he received a fair shot. He was pulled after 2 1/2 games this season and missed four starts before reclaiming the job in Week 8.

"It's not really for me to decide that," said Quinn. "I just wish things would've gone differently in Cleveland. I hope they have success in the future. I hope coach Holmgren can get things turned around for them."

He didn't say he's going to Denver to win the starting job from incumbent Kyle Orton, who was acquired last off-season from Chicago for Jay Cutler. The Broncos were rumored to have been interested in Quinn before that trade.

"I'm just looking to create a role for myself on the team," said Quinn. "Anytime you're in a situation like this, all you can really do is go in there and learn the system, get to know your teammates and coaches. That's really my focus right now. All of those things will take care of themselves in the end."

Quinn -- whom the Browns surrendered a high second-round pick in 2007 and 2008's first-rounder to grab him with the 22nd pick in 2007 -- admitted he's leaving with some sadness. As a kid growing up in Dublin, he grew up idolizing the Browns and dreamed of leading them to the Super Bowl.

"I really wanted to be the guy to turn things around and turn the tide, but that's not the situation I'm faced with this at this point," he said. "I think you just have to give yourself a dose of reality. Things don't always work out the way you want them to in life. I know God has a plan for me and obviously those plans are leading me out to Denver right now."

Quinn's fondest memory will be of his love affair with the fans.

"I had a wonderful time in Cleveland and I say that because of the fans," he said. "They were so welcoming and loyal to me. Even though I battled through some tough times, the fans stuck with me and I can't thank them enough for all of their support.

"Hopefully they'll always continue to have that enthusiasm. It's a great place to play and a great team and organization to be a part of."

The Browns plan to make Holmgren available to the media on Monday. That's also the day Delhomme is expected to sign his two-year contract and join the team for the start of the off-season program.

"I appreciate everything Brady did for us last year and in his three seasons with the Cleveland Browns," said coach Eric Mangini in the release. "He is professional in the way he goes about doing his job and worked extremely hard at every aspect of his game. I wish him the best of success in Denver."

Quinn acknowledged it's great to be wanted.

"One of the biggest things coming out of this is that you're going to a team that really wants you and came and got you," he said. "Hopefully I can continue to learn and grow and get better. Hopefully having a coach like coach [Josh] McDaniels will allow me to do that."

He said his Lis Franc sprain "is doing great. It's really progressed very well. I'm just now coming into 100 percent recovery and feeling great. I look forward to competing and working with the guys in the off-season workouts."

Orton is not expected to be there this week, in part because he's the NFL Players' Association representative and is in Hawaii attending the annual meeting.

Quinn also said his confidence hasn't been shaken despite a rocky start in Cleveland, one that included a coaching change, a quarterback competition and the exodus of most of the Browns' top skill players, including Joe Jurevicius, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow.

"No matter what the situation, I've always felt confident in my ability and hopefully I'll have the opportunity to show that in Denver," he said. "Sorry it couldn't have lasted longer here."