Berea, Ohio ? Jeff Garcia had the impossible task of following Joe Montana and Steve Young in San Francisco, so he’s not too worried about replacing Tim Couch.

Garcia signed a $25-million, four-year contract Tuesday with Cleveland, ending Couch’s rocky era with the Browns.

The 34-year-old Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowler released earlier this month by the 49ers in a salary-cap move, will take over as Cleveland’s starting QB — a spot held by Couch the past five seasons.

“I think it’s going to be a perfect fit,” Garcia said. “The Browns showed a real desire for me to be here, and they felt I could make a difference.”

Garcia’s arrival will end Couch’s five-year tenure with the Browns, who drafted him first overall 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. He rejected an offer last week that would have cut his salary by more than half. Now it appears Couch will be playing elsewhere next season.

“The stars never really aligned,” Browns coach Butch Davis said in describing Couch’s roller-coaster ride with Cleveland.

Browns president Carmen Policy said Couch had not requested to be released and the club would meet with agent Tom Condon to work out something “favorable to the Browns and Tim.”

Garcia was San Francisco’s starting quarterback since 1999, taking over when Young retired.