2015 Cleveland Browns roster analysis: The quarterbacks

Johnny Manziel

Age: 23

Experience: 2 years

Contract status: Free agent in 2018

Manziel entered the season as the firm number two quarterback behind Josh McCown after an offseason of uncertainty after a stay in a rehab facility. Manziel received praise from coaches and teammates how he was taking the job seriously and preparing like a true quarterback compared to rookie season.

The Browns’ plan was to have Manziel sit behind the veteran McCown and continue to learn the ins and outs of the quarterback position. However, after a concussion to McCown in week one, Manziel received extending playing time in the season opener against the New York Jets and followed it up with leading the Browns to a home opener victory over the Tennessee Titans in week two.

Despite Manziel’s noticeable improvements on the field the Browns stuck to their original plan giving the job back to Josh McCown allowing Manziel to sit and learn. Manziel’s next start would come on a Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9.

Manziel started the following week against Pittsburgh throwing for a career high 372 yards and showing the ability to succeed from the pocket while implementing his improvisation and scrambling ability. Manziel was then named the starter for the remaining six games over the bye week and it was full steam ahead with Manziel. This is however, where Manziel’s positive strides to become the Browns answer at quarterback took a hit.

Over the bye week a video of Manziel surfaced partying and drinking in a bar in Austin, Texas, when Manziel vowed to the team and media there was nothing to worry about when it came to his bye week plans. Manziel lied to the Browns that it was an old video and violated the trust between him and coaches landing himself a demotion from the starting quarterback before his next start occurred.

The Browns would give Manziel one last shot when named the starter for the final four games after a season ending injury to Josh McCown and poor play from Austin Davis.

After being renamed the starter, Manziel lead the Browns to their third and final win of the season against the San Francisco 49ers, where he played a solid game overall playing with a pass first scramble second mentality. He showed leadership and command of the offense and it was a huge step back in the right direction for him and the Browns.

Manziel then started games against Seattle and Kansas City where he suffered a concussion and was ruled out for the season finale against Pittsburgh. Then the legend of Billy Manziel was born…

2015 Stats:

ATT      COMP         YDS          COMP %   TD         INT

223         129             1,500           57.8           7               5

2016 Outlook:

Manziel’s status for next season is the most uncertain of any Brown on the roster. In a season where Manziel took strides inside the Browns facility and on the field it also saw him take steps in the wrong direction with his behavior off the field giving the Browns one huge mess to deal with. Manziel is a unique talent and has the ability to become a solid quarterback the league but his off field issues seem to be clouding himself from fully committing to that.

As positive as his improvements were for the Browns, it is his decisions off the field that will ultimately cost Manziel. It will be up to the new Browns coach Hue Jackson if the headache of Manziel is worth keeping around for another season in Cleveland.

Manziel has talent that the new staff can continue to work and build with but Manziel cannot be counted on to be the Browns starting quarterback entering the season after more reports of awful judgment and decisions by Manziel. The Browns will either need to stick with McCown or find another capable starter via free agency or the draft entering the 2016 season.

Next: Austin Davis and Connor Shaw