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Free agent quarterback Jeff Garcia agreed to a $25 million, four-year contract with Cleveland -- a move that in all likelihood will end Tim Couch's rocky run with the Browns.

The Browns and Garcia's agent, Steve Baker, confirmed the deal Tuesday to Associated Press sports writer Tom Withers. The team said it was making plans for a news conference.

Browns president Carmen Policy told WTAM, the team's radio rights holder, the contract was worth $10 million over the first two years, and there's an option for the final two years.

The 34-year-old Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowler, was unable to agree on a restructured contract with the San Francisco 49ers, who released him earlier this month.

But for a while, it appeared that Garcia was headed to Tampa Bay.

In Monday's edition, the Gilroy Dispatch quoted Garcia's father, Bob Garcia, as saying that his son planned to sign a multi-year deal this week with Tampa Bay.

However, San Jose Mercury News staffer Dennis Georgatos reports that Bob Garcia backed off those remarks later Monday.

In a telephone interview, Bob Garcia told Georgatos he misinterpreted some of his son's comments during a phone conversation and was premature in saying the quarterback had decided to go to Tampa Bay. He also said his son chastised him for his comments.

"I was out of line," Bob Garcia said. "I jumped the gun, and I got my butt chewed out because of it. I thought it was a done deal, and it wasn't so. All I know is he's back East and three teams are talking to him. That's where they're at."

The three teams Bob Garcia alluded to were the Browns, the Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons. Cleveland won out.

The Browns reportedly had offered Garcia a two-year contract worth $8 million. That proposal increased Monday after the competition for his services intensified.

In Cleveland, Couch was clearly caught off guard by reports that the Browns had made an offer to Garcia.

"I was surprised a little, but I think if they're definitely going to go with another guy, then Jeff is capable of coming in here and getting the job done," he said.

The consensus among those who follow the team closely says Garcia's arrival will end Couch's five-year tenure with the Browns, who drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 1999. The team cannot afford both QBs and most likely will trade or release Couch, who is under contract for two more seasons.

The Browns had been trying to get Couch to rework his contract this offseason. He rejected an offer last week that would have cut his salary by more than half.

His tenure with Cleveland was beset by inconsistency and injuries. The low point came in an October 2002 loss against the Ravens when Browns fans cheered as Couch staggered off the field with a concussion.

Couch said recently that he would be willing to take a pay cut -- as long as he had assurances the money would be used to strengthen the team.

He didn't respond to an offer last week that would have cut his salary from $7.6 million to $3 million in 2004 and from $8 million to $3.5 million in 2005.