Cleveland Browns: Ranking every starting QB since 1999

Johnny Manziel, 2014-2015

The swirling controversy around the Cleveland Browns ever since the 2014 NFL Draft has largely involved former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. After sitting out most of the 2014 regular season, Manziel became the 21st starting quarterback in franchise history in Week 15 when the Browns hosted the Bengals. Not only was his play in the 30-0 loss atrocious enough to land him the bottom spot on the list, the distraction he created for a team that was bound for a winning record was possibly an even more damaging factor.

The pressure created by fans and teammates who were allies of Manziel on the Browns coaching staff was enough to force them to play the rookie when Brian Hoyer experienced only minor adversity. The 2014 Browns were once 7-4 with Hoyer, and still had a winning record when the coaches made the move, only to finish 7-9.

2015 was no better for Manziel, even though some would claim that he improved as a football player. The off-the-field distractions the rookie caused were even more detrimental than his seven interceptions in eight overall starts. Constantly getting involved in scandals which normally included some sort of alcohol or drugs, Cleveland finally grew weary of the circus, as the new Browns front office released the young, troubled player in March 2016.

The Manziel era will always be linked to head coach Mike Pettine, the off-the-field distractions and the pitiful conclusion to one of the more promising Browns seasons in 2014. This, along with his well below average quarterbacking lands Manziel at the bottom of this less than prestigious list.

Next: No. 23: Spergon Wynn