When the Cleveland Browns drafted Johnny Manziel earlier this year, fellow quarterback Brian Hoyer was put on notice.
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Hoyer wasn’t exactly impressive during training camp, though Johnny Manziel was even less so and it appeared that Brian Hoyer essentially won the starting quarterback job by default.
That’s something he’s unlikely to pound his chest over, though he’s assured of taking the first snap of the season and if he’s to play well he shouldn’t have any worry about Johnny Manziel taking over his job (at least not currently). But what if he’s to struggle out of the gate? Will the Cleveland Browns bench the veteran in favor of the rookie enigma? Not according to head coach Mike Pettine who says he won’t have a quick leash on Hoyer.
The added caveat at the end of Pettine’s comment wasn’t exactly brimming in confidence regarding the play of Brian Hoyer, though it’s clear Johnny Manziel is not the better quarterback between the two currently (at least in the traditional sense). That said, if Hoyer has issues to start the season the pressure is likely going to be too grand for Pettine to stand and he’ll have to give Johhny Manziel the starting gig before everything caves in.
It’s a no-win situation for Hoyer who is essentially attempting to audition for another NFL job. If he’s successful he’ll bite off more time under center for the Cleveland Browns, but Manziel is going to lurk all season.