The Cleveland Browns are without question in a bad spot when it comes to the quarterback position. They have the veteran Josh McCown, who appears to be the front-runner to be the starting quarterback at this point in time. Johnny Manziel is the other potential starting option, and has begun looking better but still isn’t the ideal starting option.
According to a report from ESPN Browns reporter Tony Grossi, McCown is expected to be the Week 1 starter despite the improvements that Manziel has been making.
Mccown is not going to lose No 1 job in preseason. Sorry. https://t.co/kMeUpSTWds
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) August 8, 2015
McCown did not play well last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and starting him would not give them a very good chance to compete with many teams. He finished the 2014 season with 2,206 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Those numbers show exactly why it would be concerning to start him, especially as he doesn’t have any chance to be a long-term option under center.
At least with Manziel, the Browns could see if there is any chance that he turns his career around. He has the athletic ability to make plays with his legs and arm, and gaining the experience that he did last season will help him out when he sees the field this year.
That being said, the Browns’ coaching staff could end up going with McCown for the first part of the season to see whether or not they can compete. Once that doesn’t happen, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them switch to Manziel. No matter what ends up happening, the 2015 season isn’t likely to be a great one for Cleveland and their fan base.
It will be interesting to see how head coach Mike Pettine handles things over the course of the next month.
Both quarterbacks will be given every chance to prove themselves during the preseason and training camp, and they are going to battle up until Week 1 of the regular season. The media may think that McCown already has the starting job won, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the same with the coaching staff.
Only time will tell who ends up opening the season as the Browns’ starting quarterback, but Manziel’s improvement certainly makes things interesting. He likely still has the coaching staff intrigued, and the front office obviously hasn’t given up on him either. McCown may be the favorite at this point in time, but it is way too early to be saying that there is no chance Manziel can beat him out.
