On Monday, Browns coach Mike Pettine said he wasn’t prepared to name Johnny Manziel the team’s starting quarterback for the rest of the season regardless of Josh McCown’s health.
It looks like Pettine and the Browns have gotten their ducks in a row, though. Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that Manziel will make the move to the top rung of the depth chart for the rest of the season. Glazer adds that both quarterbacks have been informed of the decision.
It’s hard to argue with that choice. At 2-8, the Browns have little reason not to look forward to 2016 and find ways to make that season go better than this one. The jury remains out on whether Manziel can help them achieve that goal, but there’s no way to render a verdict without actually seeing what he can do over an extended period of time.
If the feeling is that he can do the job, the Browns can look for help at other spots with what will be another high draft pick. If Manziel sputters, that pick could go for another quarterback that the team’s decision-makers -- be they the current ones or a new regime -- believe is better suited for the job.
UPDATE 11:15 a.m. ET: The Browns have announced that Manziel will be their starter moving forward.