The Cleveland Browns may look at bringing back Brian Hoyer in free agency as the starter over Johnny Manziel after the way the season ended and as the draft gets closer, trade talk likely will come up regarding RG3, Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, as the Browns have the most draft picks of any team in 2015 and could pull off a major move.
While a huge move with Manziel, RG3 or one of the top quarterbacks is unlikely, ESPN.com reporter Jeremy Fowler writes that all options are on the table for the Browns. The team skidded to a 0-5 finish after opening the season 7-4 and after Manziel ended the season on IR and with some controversy, the Browns could look at other starting options. Hoyer makes sense to come back, but other teams likely will be interested in signing him as a free agent, while a trade also could be an option for the Browns.
The Redskins look like they are going to keep RG3, but the Browns could look at Kirk Cousins as a short term option over Griffin. The team wants to give Manziel a chance, but after he allegedly threw a party ahead of Week 17 and was late to a team function, he still has a ways to go as a pro. The Redskins have Cousins and Griffin on the roster and reports from Pro Football Talk and other outlets have Cousins available in a trade, as he is hoping to get the chance to start next season. The Browns also have multiple first round picks and later round picks to use in trades and that could allow them to move up for Mariota or Winston if they slip down in the draft.
The Browns finished the season on a very down note after opening 7-4 and that is why all options are on the table for Ray Farmer. In his season ending press conference, Farmer said that the team would consider taking a quarterback in the draft despite having Manziel and that the team was also interested in bringing back Hoyer. ESPN.com reports that Hoyer is interested in coming back, but wants a chance to start, while the team wants to bring him back only at the "right price".
Hoyer is expected to be targeted in free agency by the Houston Texans, Titans and NY Jets. The Browns finished the season 7-9 overall and just 2-4 in the AFC North and after opening with optimism at 7-4, the team now has numerous questions going forward. The Browns were in the playoff hunt for half the season, but things ended on a sour note with the losing streak and issues with both Manziel and Josh Gordon. Gordon came back after a 10 game suspension, playing in five games before getting suspended for missing a team function ahead of Week 17.
Gordon and Manziel have their futures up in the air and Gordon could be in for a battle with the team over his free agent status. Manziel finished the season with just 175 yards passing, ending up third on the team behind Hoyer and Connor Shaw. Manziel scored a rushing touchdown and threw two interceptions down the stretch of the season.