In April of 1999 the expansion Cleveland Browns made their first draft pick Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch. Couch like other quarterbacks drafted with high picks did not fully pan out for the Cleveland Browns. His name sometimes gets compared to other quarterbacks that were considered busts in the draft. But I believe that is an unfair comparison.

Recently the Carolina Panthers benched their quarterback Bryce Young. Young was drafted number one overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Carolina traded up to get the opportunity to draft him. They passed on Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud. Stroud was picked second overall by the Houston Texans. Bryce Young is now officially considered a bust two years into his career. Tim Couch was different.

Couch played from 1999-2003 for the Cleveland Browns. His starting record was terrible at 22-40. That might be what most experts may look at for his career. But the team he had around him was an expansion roster. He had a subpar offensive line at best and his body took a beating. Eventually the hits took their toll on him, and an elbow injury ended his career in the NFL.  I prefer to focus on what he accomplished versus what he didn’t accomplish.

In the 2002 season the Cleveland Browns posted a record of 9-7 and earned a wildcard berth for the NFL Playoffs. Tim Couch went down to an injury in the final game of the season against the Atlanta Falcons. Kelly Holcomb finished the game at quarterback for the Browns and did start in the wildcard loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The next season had a quarterback controversy. Tim Couch did lose his starting job to Kelly Holcomb in 2003. 2003 was Couch’s final season as a Cleveland Brown.  He played five seasons with the team that drafted him. He also took them to the NFL Playoffs. By that standard alone, he was not a bust of a draft pick.