The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation is unclear heading into 2015 and now reports have come out that Johnny Manziel has entered rehab treatment to "improve" as a person and a player and that could lead to a trade for the Browns, as they could look at adding Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota in the draft while also considering bringing back Brian Hoyer as a free agent.
The Browns already had questions coming into the offseason at QB and now with Manziel entering treatment, the team may look at other options for 2015. According to ESPN.com, a family spokesman released a statement about Manziel entering treatment, saying that Manziel felt this was the best move for him and will help him become a "better family member, friend and teammate". There were reports from after the season that Manziel partied a lot during the season and that he missed a team walkthrough due to being drunk one night.
ESPN.com reported a huge story about Manziel not being prepared for most of the season and also partying too much and now he clearly is trying to get things back on track. This could be a strong move for Manziel's future in Cleveland, as it is one serious step in the right direction, but for the time being his future is still a bit unclear. The Browns reportedly will look at quarterbacks in the draft this year and they also may bring back Brian Hoyer after he started for the team this season.
The Cleveland Browns had a terrible end to the 2014 season after putting themselves into playoff contention and now Ray Farmer could look at a draft trade to target Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. Famer may see that as a better option than Brian Hoyer returning in free agency or Johnny Manziel starting at quarterback in 2015. Manziel has numerous questions coming into the offseason and this move will only bring up more.
The Browns started the season 7-4 with Hoyer at quarterback and the team was firmly in the AFC playoffs race before faltering down the stretch. Hoyer was playing some solid football over the opening part of the year and some thought he could sign an extension before hitting free agency, but then he hit a slump. The team benched Hoyer for Manziel and eventually the rookie was injured and the Browns finished the season on a losing streak. Now Farmer may look at making some major moves for the 2015 season.
The Browns dealt with Josh Gordon and his multiple suspensions and both owner Jimmy Haslam and Farmer chided Manziel, Gordon and rookie Justin Gilbert on their maturity going forward. Farmer said he would consider a quarterback in the draft in 2015 and while he did not specify when he would consider one, reporters picked up on his quotes and speculated on what the Browns could do. Jeremy Fowler at ESPN.com wrote that Gordon could be gone after his issues are cleared up and now Manziel's future is also a bit in doubt.
From the report on Manziel entering rehab on ESPN, the released statement: "Johnny knows there are areas in which he needs to improve in order to be a better family member, friend and teammate and he thought the offseason was the right time to take this step," adviser Brad Beckworth said. "On behalf of Johnny and his family, we're asking for privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland."