Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has only seen the field minimally in his rookie season, but general manager Ray Farmer thinks Manziel will start eventually. Farmer wasn't clear on whether he believes it'll happen later this season or further down the line, telling the media, "I want Johnny to play when Johnny's ready to play," according to NFL.com.
Johnny Manziel is still a future starter, says Browns GM
The Browns are off to a fast start with Brian Hoyer at quarterback, but Johnny Manziel is waiting in the wings.
Gregory Shamus
For now, the Browns have found success without Manziel taking snaps. Cleveland is off to one of the best starts the team has seen in decades, and the play of starting quarterback Brian Hoyer has been a big reason why Cleveland is currently 5-3. He's completing 58 percent of his passes for 2,014 yards and 10 touchdowns versus just four interceptions.
However, Hoyer’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Farmer sees Manziel as the team’s future at quarterback:
“The result is for him to be successful for a long period of time and not just for a moment or for a flash, but for an extended period of time,” Farmer said. “We’re going to put together the right group, and we’re going to make sure everything is in place. He’s going to be ready, and we’re going to be ready when he does get that opportunity.”
The 2014 first-round pick was immediately viewed as the Browns’ long-term quarterback as soon as they drafted him, but Hoyer has done just enough to keep Manziel on the bench.
Head coach Mike Pettine weighed in last week on Manziel, saying he senses the rookie’s frustration by not being the starter. As long as Hoyer can play well and lead the Browns to wins, Manziel will continue to be frustrated on the bench -- at least for this season.
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