If the training camp were to start today, the Cleveland Browns wouldn't have a quarterback. Brian Hoyer is a free agent and Johnny Manziel is in rehab. Although Manziel remains under contract with the team, could the Browns begin exploring other options?
Head coach Mike Pettine spoke to reporters today at the NFL combine and was asked a number of questions, of which the most glaring dealt with the team's quarterback situation. Rumors have surfaced recently about general manager Ray Farmer "showing a liking" toward Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota long after it was reported the Browns were going to "explore all options" at quarterback.
Pettine had some fuel to add to the fire today.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Pettine said "he'll approach free agency and draft as though he has to find a starting quarterback other than Manziel. Too many unknowns."
Pettine said he visited Manziel in rehab and reiterated "he has our full support," but it doesn't seem as if he's confident with the idea of having Manziel as his starter next season.
"We had the same information everyone else in the League had [prior to the draft]. It turns out to be a deeper-rooted thing that we thought," he added.
Since the conclusion of the 2014 season, the Browns have hired a new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, lost wide receiver Josh Gordon to a yearlong suspension, witnessed Manziel check himself into rehab and are likely going to watch Brian Hoyer hit free agency. All of these moves and incidents drastically alter the landscape of their offense. Pettine's comments come just days after Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said, "it's way too early to give up on Johnny."
It doesn't seem like anybody is giving up on Johnny yet, but Pettine's words give previous reports some validity, like the Browns' apparent interest in Mariota. The former Oregon quarterback is also working out with Kevin O'Connell, the Browns' new QBs coach, in preparation for the NFL Draft. According to Haslam, this was an arrangement of O'Connell's prior to the hiring, which is why the team waited until yesterday to make the official announcement. O'Connell also worked out with Manziel prior last year's draft, which exacerbates speculation, but at the same time leaves many to think it's all just a mere coincidence.
Last but not least, Pettine did also say "the door hasn't closed" on Brian Hoyer and "we're open to him coming back." Pettine and Hoyer met recently, but Cabot notes the quarterback has not met with Farmer. The team has expressed interest in fellow veteran quarterback Josh McCown, who was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so it's entirely unknown what Cleveland is looking to do to solve their issue at quarterback.
Free agency begins on March 10 and the NFL Draft takes place from April 30 to March 2, so we'll see what they decide to do at those points in the offseason.
