Browns’ Pettine: Johnny Manziel won’t get first-team reps right away
By Mike Dyce
Cleveland Browns have a quarterback competition on their hands between veteran Brian Hoyer and rookie Johnny Manziel. Hoyer is getting the nod from the start and expected to be starter going forward.
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
That doesn’t mean Manziel won’t get a chance with the the first-teamers though.
“He will get reps with the ones at some point,” coach Mike Pettine told Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. “But early on . . . we only talked about how we would handle things very early in camp and then make that assessment after the first off day and then have a plan for the scrimmage [on August 2]. We’ll see where he is coming out of the summer.”
Back in May, Browns general manager Ray Farmer said Hoyer is ahead of Johnny Manziel by a “substantial margin” in the Browns’ quarterback competition. That means he has to close a pretty wide gap top contend for that No. 1 quarterback spot in training camp to get the nod.
While the Browns have praised Manziel’s dedication despite all the off-field antics, we’ll find out soon whether that was all just talk or if there was any actual validity to it.