Johnny Manziel's latest run as the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns has come to an end. On Tuesday, the team announced that it has benched the former first-round pick after a video of Manziel partying during the bye week surfaced.
Browns bench Johnny Manziel after partying video surfaces
Josh McCown will take over starting duties.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
"Josh McCown will be the starting quarterback on Monday night against the Ravens," Browns head coach Mike Pettine said in a team statement. "I informed the quarterbacks of that decision after I sat down and spoke with Johnny, Flip (John DeFilippo) and Kevin (O'Connell) after practice today. Johnny will be the third quarterback. I've spoken to Ray (Farmer) and Jimmy (Haslam) to inform them of my decision, and they are in full support."
Pettine evaded questions about Manziel’s status earlier on Tuesday, but did comment that he was “disappointed” with the signal-caller.
“When it’s a repeated pattern of behavior, it’s a concern,” Pettine said, likely referring to Manziel’s 10-week stay at a drug and alcohol treatment facility during the offseason.
The video showing Manziel partying first appeared Monday on the website Busted Coverage. Per the site, Manziel spent a night at Austin-area bars named Rio Rooftop and Summit Rooftop Lounge. The video shows Manziel holding a bottle of Dom Perignon.
In three starts this season, Manziel completed 76 of his 128 passes (59.4 percent) for 933 yards, five touchdowns and two picks. The team won just once with Manziel as the starter. By contrast, McCown completed 165 of his 254 attempts (65 percent) for 1,897 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. However, the Browns have won only one game with McCown starting, too.
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