Cleveland Browns rumors: Johnny Manziel closing the gap between he and Brian Hoyer

At the University of Akron on Saturday, the Cleveland Browns held their first scrimmage, and everyone got to get a good glimpse at Johnny Manziel running things under center. And according to a report from the Akron Beacon Journal, there’s a very good chance that, with his play on Saturday, he was able to close the gap a bit between he and projected starter Brian Hoyer.

More from Cleveland Browns

• Browns release 2022 draft pick after allegations he threatened a woman
• Browns wave white flag against the Steelers months ahead of time
• NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
• NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?
• NFL rumors: DeAndre Hopkins reunion with former quarterback off the table

Despite the Beacon Journal and others proclaiming that the gap is closing a bit, head coach Mike Pettine was not so quick to make that statement just yet.

“I wouldn’t say that [it’s closer]. When camp began, Brian was the ones because we had to put somebody out there with the ones,” Pettine said. “But they were truly competing against each other, and at some point we will mix the units. I think that it’s all part of our evaluation process.”

Even Manziel himself downplayed the talk of him inching closer to becoming the Browns starter at quarterback eventually.

“There’s no gap that I’m looking at right now,” Manziel said after the scrimmage. “It’s know the playbook, know everything. There’s still so many little things here and there that can throw a play and change a play and a defensive look, and that’s stuff that I wasn’t used to. Now I’m seeing it, adjusting, learning.”

It’s still early on in the process that Pettine spoke of, but from all the word out of the scrimmage on Saturday, we could be getting closer to seeing Johnny Football make his NFL debut.