The Cleveland Browns (2-8) will start Johnny Manziel for the rest of the season. Head coach Mike Pettine officially announced the decision Tuesday morning before the teams practice.
Manziel will take over the quarterback duties from veteran Josh McCown, who only went 1-6 as the starter despite playing well. McCown was signed by the Browns to help groom and mentor the talented yet troubled former college star. McCown said Monday that he couldn’t understand if the Browns wanted to turn to their 2014 first-round pick.
“If that’s the case, that’s the case,” he said. “We’ll move forward accordingly. Just from a philosophical standpoint, if you pick somebody in the first-round and they start to play and start to do some good things, I understand it if that’s the decision.”
Johnny Manziel Named Browns Starter for Remainder of Season
And that’s exactly what has happened in the last two weeks as Manziel filled in for the injured Josh McCown (ribs). Even though Manziel and the Browns lost to the Cincinnati Bengals (8-1) 31-10 in week nine, Manziel had a great first half, completing 11-of-18 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. The second half wasn’t quite as good though, as Manziel finished the game 15-of-33 for 168 yards and a touchdown. However, in his last start against the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4), a 30-9 loss, Manziel looked and played a lot better, especially from the pocket. He finished the game 33-of-45 for 372 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The completions, attempts and yards passing were all career highs for Manziel.
“I want to keep playing,” Manziel said after the Steelers game, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. “Every game that I play, I keep learning, and I feel like things keep slowing down, I keep getting better.”
Even the Browns head coach had high praise for Manziel’s performance against the Steelers, even noting his progress.
“The performance against Pittsburgh validated for us the progress he’s made and the improvement he’s shown and that he deserves this opportunity,” Pettine said. “We understand where our season is at this point and this is a kid we’ve invested alot in. This will give us an opportunity to see how far he’s come and what he’s capable of.”
The former Heisman Trophy winner and the Browns 2014 first-round pick (22nd overall) will have the final six games of the season to show the coaches, the front office and especially the owner, Jimmy Haslam, that he was worthy of being selected that high. Otherwise, it might be back to the drawing board for the Browns as far as their quarterback situation is concerned.
As for now though, Manziel’s next start will be against the Baltimore Ravens (2-7) on Monday Night Football on November 30, following their bye this week.
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