The Cleveland Browns are not having the greatest offseason and it has not even officially started yet. The team is going through several issues at the moment that they certainly did not plan on after Week 17 wrapped up. However, the official offseason has not even begun and already Johnny Manziel has admitted himself into a rehab program, Jose Gordon has been suspended for 15 and the franchise is being investigated for texting. All of these issues have quarterback Brian Hoyer thinking twice about returning in 2015.
Hoyer admitted that all of these issues surrounding the Cleveland Browns have him thinking of heading elsewhere next season. The quarterback will be an unrestricted free agent come March and fully intends to be a starting quarterback next fall. Cleveland is certainly the place that gives him that option, but Hoyer is not sure he wants to stick around while the NFL investigates the Browns for texts being sent to the sidelines.
"To read the stories and see what's going on, I'm just as interested as you guys are to see where that comes out," Hoyer said, via ESPN.com. "Especially because when you read it has to do with the quarterback situation and play calling. That's something that could affect how I feel about it. For me, I'm looking forward to see what comes out of that. And obviously, Cleveland has a big place in my heart."
With doubt surrounding Manziel following his admission into rehab, the door is open for Hoyer to be the team's starting quarterback. According to his agent, Hoyer would certainly consider the Browns in free agency, but only if they guarantee him the starting job as he has no interest in another headline-grabbing competition in training camp. However, the recent issues with the team could be changing Hoyer's mind about that.
"I'm from here," Hoyer said. "Would it be great to stay here? Sure. But if it's not the best place to be at this point in my career, I'm going to have to make tough decisions."
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are seriously considering a draft trade up for Marcus Mariota and potentially Jameis Winston. That move could become a major priority if Hoyer makes it clear he intends to head off into free agency where teams like the New York Jets, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Washington Redskins could make a run at him. Manziel will remain on the roster simply because there is no market to trade him, but that does not mean he is the starter. Hoyer will consider that idea.