Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel said after he was drafted that he intends to reverse the team’s losing ways.
“Obviously, the team really wants to win and they want to win now,” Manziel said. “I’ve been a winner everywhere that I’ve been. Whatever the situation may be, I’m going to work extremely hard to put myself in the best position to continue that trend of being a winner.”
The Browns have finished either 4-12 or 5-11 every year for six straight seasons, but they had a very good first round on Thursday night, acquiring both Manziel and cornerback Justin Gilbert, while also acquiring the Bills’ 2015 first-round pick in a trade. This looks like a team on the rise.
Still, Manziel can’t help the Browns win until he’s on the field, and head coach Mike Pettine said Manziel won’t necessarily be the team’s starting quarterback.
“I don’t think you just hand jobs to people when they come in,” Pettine said.
At the same time, you don’t spend a first-round pick on a quarterback if you don’t see him as your future starter. If the Browns are going to turn things around, Manziel is going to be a big part of it.