Quarterback Johnny Manziel may be set to start the 2015 NFL season on the bench for the Cleveland Browns, but it sure sounds like he won't remain there for long. According to a report from ESPN NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, many around the league fully expect Manziel to take over for McCown at some point in the upcoming season. While Manziel has shown marked improvement this offseason after bumbling through an atrocious rookie season, he was felled late in training camp by tendinitis. Per Schefter and Mortensen, the Browns are unfazed.
"The tendinitis is not thought to be a serious issue, at least at this time. Manziel's arm tends to get sore, he never has had in-season problems with it, and according to people familiar with the injury, Browns officials are not concerned it poses any kind of threat."
As for McCown, the 36-year-old journeyman is set to take the opening day snaps for the Browns, marking the sixth different NFL franchise for which he has logged regular season snaps. After putting together an improbable run of success with the Chicago Bears in place of Jay Cutler in 2013 - a run which somehow included 13 touchdown passes and just one interception - McCown made the move to Tampa Bay in free agency where he promptly imploded behind an abysmal Buccaneers offensive line.
Now with Cleveland, McCown has been steady during preseason work, but has also tossed several interceptions. While no one in their right mind is expecting the Browns offense to be among the league's best next season, if the team is to contend they'll have to at least operate on a competent level.
McCown will be given the first crack and helming the Browns offense, but it sure sounds like Manziel's chance is more a matter of when than if.
