NFL trade rumors 2016: Cleveland Browns coach shrugs off Josh McCown's alleged trade to Dallas Cowboys

It's no secret that the Dallas Cowboys are heading a relentless talent search as they complete their roster before the opening of the regular season of the National Football League (NFL). However, the team has failed to sign Nick Foles in when he opted to play for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Cowboys have been eyeing a potential replacement as backup quarterback position following Kellen Moore's ankle injury. One of the names that appeared on their list is Cleveland Browns' veteran quarterback Josh McCown. For a while, trade rumors surrounding McCown have been making rounds online. However, Cleveland doesn't seem too interested to part ways with such a valuable asset. Recently, Browns head coach Hue Jackson dismissed rumors of McCown jumping off ship to Dallas.

"I have no thoughts, whatsoever. You said it; it's rumor. There is nothing to it as far as we're concerned. I've heard about it, obviously I have, but I feel good that he's here. He's a Cleveland Brown and I know nothing else about the other part of it," said Jackson as mentioned in a report by UPI.

According to Bleacher Report, the Cowboys' preliminary trade talks with the Browns over McCown yielded nothing after the former withdrew from the table because of the latter's high asking price as revealed in a tweet by ESPN's Ed Werder. With time running out, the Cowboys may probably have to go back and pursue McCown.

Meanwhile, the 37-year-old veteran is downplaying the trade rumors involving him. McCown is letting his front office and his representative take care of the business noise for now. He is currently locked in a competition with Robert Griffin III to see who gets the top starting quarterback job in the team. Griffin is heavily favored to get the starting job, USA Today reported. Nevertheless, an undeterred McCown remains clearly glued to the competition.

In the previous season, McCown threw for 2,109 yards with 12 touchdowns in the eight games he played before his field time was cut short following collarbone injury in Browns' Nov. 30 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last year.