Cleveland Browns Roster Rumors 2014: Johnny Manziel Will Be the Starting Quarterback in the Future, Says GM Ray Farmer
Johnny Manziel has yet to get significant playing time this season, but Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer believes that the rookie quarterback will start for the team in the future.
Farmer said in an interview that Manziel is still the team's future franchise quarterback, but the Texas A&M standout will have to wait for his time to come in the NFL.
"I want Johnny to play when Johnny's ready to play, and we're comfortable with where we're at and how we want to play him and what the total organization looks like around him," Farmer said via NFL.com.
The Browns made a draft-day deal with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire the 22nd overall pick in the draft, which they used to select Manziel. If he has the opportunity to decide again, Farmer said he would still pick Manziel, pointing out that their goal for the 21-year-old is to make an impact for a long time, not just this season.
"The [goal] is for him to be successful for a long period of time and not just for a moment or for a flash, but for an extended period of time," Farmer explained. "We're going to put together the right group, and we're going to make sure everything is in place. He's going to be ready, and we're going to be ready when he does get that opportunity."
The Browns are off to a good start this season, winning in five of their first eight games, mainly because of Brian Hoyer's strong performance.
Hoyer, who beat out Manziel in the race to start for the Browns this season, has completed 57.9 percent of his passes this season for 2,014 yards with 10 touchdowns against just four interceptions.
However, Farmer is unsure if Hoyer, who would become a free agent after the current season, will still be in Cleveland next season, considering the fact that several teams are expected to express interest in signing the 29-year-old quarterback.
"Brian's contract expires at the end of the season; Johnny's doesn't," Farmer added. "We'll see what happens with Brian between now and then."
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