INDIANAPOLIS -- The Browns have expressed interest in veteran quarterback Josh McCown and might bring him in for a visit, a league source told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

Browns coach Mike Pettine later confirmed the report, saying "it's an option that's being discussed.''

McCown, 35, was released last week by the Bucs with a year remaining on his two-year deal. The Browns are one of about eight teams currently interested in McCown, who met with Bears coach John Fox for breakfast Wednesday morning with the Jets later in the afternoon. He also visited with the Bills over the weekend.

In 2007, McCown was coached by current Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, who was then Raiders quarterbacks coach. McCown went 2-5 as a starter that year, with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. But the two enjoyed working together and would look forward to the opportunity to do so again, a source said.

McCown, who will spend the next few weeks making visits, can take his time because free agency begins March 10, and there's no competition for him yet.

The Browns haven't yet lined up a visit, but could do so soon, the source said.

A third-round pick of the Cardinals in 2002 out of Sam Houston State, McCown is the older brother of former Browns quarterback Luke McCown, a fourth-round pick in 2004 who started four games for the Browns before being traded to Tampa Bay on draft day in 2005.

If the Browns sign McCown, it would most likely be as a mentor to Johnny Manziel or any young quarterback they might acquire.

The Bucs, who own the No. 1 overall pick and might draft Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, released McCown after a disappointing season in which he went 1-10 and threw 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. McCown, who was replaced during the season by Mike Glennon but then reclaimed the starting job, earned a 70.5 rating, second-worst in the NFL to Jacksonville rookie Blake Bortles.

The sub-par season followed a stellar year with the Bears that earned McCown his two-year, $10 million free agent contract with the Bucs. In 2013, McCown threw 13 touchdowns and only one interception en route to a 3-2 mark for the Bears. He finished with a 109.0 rating.

If the Browns sign McCown it would likely mean the end of Brian Hoyer in Cleveland. Hoyer, who's set to become a free agent next month, is expected to receive several opportunities to compete for a starting job, which is his No. 1 priority.

McCown, on the other hand, made it clear at the end of the season that he'd accept a mentor role with the Bucs if that's what they wanted.

"Whatever they ask me to do, I'll do it and do it the best I can, whatever helps this team,'' he told the Tampa Tribune. "That's my stance on it regardless of whether it's me or anyone else (who's starting).

"For a player of my age, he can't play forever anyway. So, somebody has to come in and play and be ready to go. Whether that's next year or whatever, I just want to help whoever it is that's here.''

McCown's release makes it less likely the Bucs will trade Mike Glennon, who's been rumored to be on the Browns' radar.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam recently stressed that the club is on a mission to find a winning quarterback and will leave no stone unturned until it finds their man.