When Hue Jackson was hired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Johnny Manziel looked good as gone from the team. ESPN's Adam Schefter had reported that Jackson told owner Jimmy Haslam that he wanted to part ways with the quarterback and the team's front office signed off on the idea. However, Manziel might not be rushed out the door as the quarterback still stands a chance at remaining with the Browns.
According to the Browns' team vice president Sashi Brown, there will be no hurried decision on Manziel. While many believed he would be released right off the bat, ESPN's Pat McManamon reports that the Browns want to sit down with the quarterback and find out where he stands and how everyone can move forward after another dramatic 2015 season that was clouded by off-the-field issues.
"I know a lot's been written about him. What we expect is Johnny to have a good offseason and be ready to go. We're not in any panic to make any decision one way or another on him," Brown said, via ESPN.com. "He understands what's ahead of him and what he needs to do to have a career in this league and with the Browns. How much can we do? Johnny, he's an individual, he's a man, and he's going to have to own a lot of this, in terms of his future career."
According to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr, the Browns will take a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft and Carson Wentz could be the favored pick. Jackson told the media upon being hired that Cleveland needed a quarterback and with the free agent market not offering up much, the draft is where they will find the player. Kiper believes that Wentz is moving ahead of Jared Goff and Paxton Lynch and could easily be the favored pick at the No.2 spot for Cleveland. The former North Dakota State star is moving up the rankings and could help Jackson in his first year with the Browns.
Cleveland has a lot of decisions to make. Brown noted that he is aware Josh Gordon is seeking to be reinstated back into the NFL. That does not guarantee his return to Cleveland. The Browns do need another wide receiver to the mix as Travis Benjamin might be departing in free agency, but taking on another off-the-field issue is not something Cleveland wants to do.
"Could Josh come back to this roster? Yes," Brown said, via ESPN.com. "Is that necessarily going to happen? He's got to be cleared first by the NFL to get to that point."
The Browns need a top quarterback and they need a top wide receiver. The team must first get past the current personnel issues before they can make any additions.