The Cleveland Browns might as well post a giant question mark atop their depth chart when it comes to the quarterback position.
Yesterday, Browns head coach Mike Pettine spoke to reporters at the NFL combine and said that he will investigate all avenues to add a starting quarterback other than Johnny Manziel this offseason. Manziel, the 22nd overall pick last year, played poorly in limited action last season before finishing the year on injured reserve. Not only was his on-field production sub-par, but his work ethic and maturity - both issues that dogged him in college - were questioned as well. Now, Manziel is in rehab and his future with the team could not be cloudier.
On one hand, it's unfortunate to see a talented and exciting player such as Manziel fail this early in his career. On the other, the Browns were well aware of his shortcomings going into the draft last year.
"#Browns [general manager Ray] Farmer on Manziel: 'We understood the red flags.' Took responsibility for drafting him regardless," Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com tweeted today.
Although Manziel's career is far from over, the Browns know they cannot count on him right now. As such, they are intent on finding another viable starting quarterback option by any means.
"Ray Farmer on Browns QB plan: 'every options is on the table.' Mentions draft, trade, free agency." Lindsay Jones of USA Today Sports tweeted.
Could two of those options be combined? With a pair of first-round picks this year, the Browns may have enough ammunition to trade up in the draft for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. It's an option that even Farmer himself has considered, according to Cabot.
"#Browns Farmer said he's done a cost-benefit analysis on trading up for a QB," she tweeted.
The free agent market doesn't offer many quality options. Mark Sanchez, Jake Locker and current Cleveland QB Brian Hoyer headline the class. Retaining Hoyer is likely the top option, though none of the alternatives inspire a great deal of confidence.
It's anyone's guess what the Browns will do at quarterback this offseason. Can Manziel return and be a franchise guy? Will Cleveland swing a blockbuster trade?
It's all just a big question mark.
