BEREA, Ohio (AP) – Free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia has been offered a contract by the Cleveland Browns, although Tim Couch hasn’t been asked to turn in his orange helmet just yet.

Couch said Monday he’s surprised the Browns offered the 34-year-old Garcia, a two-year deal worth $8 million. The package includes a signing bonus of between $4 million and $5 million.

But Couch remains optimistic he’ll be able to work out a new deal and remain with the Browns.

Garcia, recently released by San Francisco, also has met with Tampa Bay and Atlanta. The three-time Pro Bowl selection spent Sunday in Tampa, where the West Coast offensrun by coach Jon Gruden.

Couch said he knew Cleveland was interested in Garcia but didn’t expect the Browns to make an offer.

The Browns have asked Couch to restructure the final two years on his contract. He is due to make $7.6 million in 2004 and $8 million in 2005.

, and the team has offered a new deal that would reduce those figures to $3 million and $3.5 million.

Couch and his agent, Tom Condon rejected the offer. Couch has made more than $30 million in bonuses and salaries since being drafted No. 1 overall in 1999.

“I was a little disappointed with the first offer,” Couch said. “I didn’t expect it to be that big of a pay cut. We’ll see what happens.”

Couch added that he is more uncertain than ever if he’ll be back with the Browns.

“At this point, I have no idea,” he said. “But I’m still optimistic. I have no idea what Garcia is going to do or who he is going to sign with or what’s going to happen.”

Couch does understand that if the Browns acquire Garcia, his five-year stay in Cleveland would be over. The team would not be able to afford them both.

“If they sign him, I’m sure I’d be gone,” Couch said. “Then whatever they want to do with me, cut me, trade me or do whatever and I would hope to land somewhere where I could get a chance to play.”

Couch said he has not yet received a new proposal from the team and planned to speak with Condon later Monday. Condon was unavailable for comment.

Couch was asked if a deal similar to the one being offered Garcia would be acceptable.

“I’m willing to work with the team,” he said. “And when we sit down at the end of the day and think it’s a fair shake, then it’s something I will do.”

After all the turmoil during his five seasons in Cleveland, Couch says playing for the Browns is still his first choice and it would be tough for him to leave.

“It would be hard because this is where I want to be,” he said. “I’ve been here for five years and I’ve got a lot of ties, a lot of friends here. It would be a tough situation, but that’s part of the business.”

AP-ES-03-08-04 2109EST