Cleveland Browns: 3 options for Johnny Manziel in 2016

Oct 4, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) talks with cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Both Josh McCown and Austin Davis will likely return to the team next season, and neither seem content to quietly accept a backup role. McCown may be more inclined to do so, but Davis is still young and eager to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Neither had too much success with the Browns this season, but they weren’t given much to work with. This leaves two possibilities for next season.

The first is a competition between all three quarterbacks. The second is that McCown is named the starter right away, leaving Davis and Manziel to compete for the backup position.

The second option does not seem too likely, as McCown is getting older and would serve better as a mentor to a younger quarterback. Naming him the starting without even having to compete for it would not set this team up for success.

But a competition in training camp is something that is a strong possibility.

So let’s say Manziel does not set himself apart and is the backup to either Davis or McCown, or an unnamed new quarterback. This would be a tough blow for Manziel, who will finish this year as the starter. He will have worked with the offense against several tough opponents, only to go back to the bench.

I don’t advocate keeping him off the bench just because he was a first round pick, but it is clear that he is talented. He is beginning to play smarter and is limiting his mistakes. McCown and Davis are solid quarterbacks, but neither have shown anything that would warrant them being the opening day starter.

Keeping Manziel on the bench would only serve to continue the QB carousel in Cleveland.

Next: Manziel no longer a Brown