NFL Preseason Schedule & Roster: Will Johnny Manziel Start in Cleveland Browns’ Match Against Washington Redskins?
Johnny Manziel will eventually start for the Cleveland Browns, but the rookie quarterback will have to wait a little bit longer as coach Mike Pettine confirmed that Brian Hoyer will start in their next preseason game.
Previous reports indicated that Manziel, the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, might start in Cleveland's Week 2 preseason match against the Washington Redskins on Monday, but Pettine played down all speculation.
In an interview, Pettine said that, while Manziel impressed during their first preseason game against the Detroit Lions, he remains comfortable starting Hoyer instead of the former Texas A&M standout.
"It's just something right now where we are comfortable with Brian going out there to start the game," Pettine said via CBS Sports. "I think it's a little overblown as to who the starter is going to be."
The 47-year-old coach added, though, that they are planning to give both quarterbacks equal reps against the Redskins, and he is hoping that Manziel and Hoyer will perform well again like in their game against Detroit.
Hoyer, who also started against the Lions, finished throwing 6-of-14 for 92 yards, while Manziel, who entered the game in the second quarter, ended up completing 7-of-11 passes for 63 yards along with 27 yards rushing.
"The key component, as I've stated earlier this week, is that we are going to balance the reps," Pettine said. "We will play it a little by ear as it goes on, we haven't truly decided as far as the rotation but the goal is, for when we look at the stat sheet at halftime, that they both have the same amount of repetitions and hopefully they both get a good amount of work."
And as for who will start in their third preseason game against the St. Louis Rams on Aug. 23 and in their Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pettine said that it will be a difficult decision, but he said that having two quarterbacks who are capable to start is a good problem to have.
"I think it's a good problem -- I know it's a good problem to have because we have two quarterbacks we feel are capable enough to make plays to win football games," Pettine said.
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