The Cleveland Browns' quarterback drama is really just beginning. The Browns were hoping to have moved past all of the media and attention surrounding the quarterback battle between Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer. The Browns had committed to Hoyer and it is proving to be a wise choice as the team remains competitive through five weeks of the season. However, the veteran's expiring contract is not helping the rumors swirling that one of the two quarterbacks will be traded at some point this year.
The x-factor in the quarterback rumors is the fact that the Cleveland Browns have two first-round draft picks next season. With a draft class coming in that is heavy on the quarterback talent, the Browns must decide the best move to take in regards to the future of the position. Manziel has barely seen the field this season and Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that it will greatly factor into the quarterback's future with the team. Does that mean trade?
Another issue is the expiring contract of Hoyer. The 28-year-old is doing a solid job of maintaining an effective offense which should help him earn a new deal from Cleveland. According to Luke Adams of Pro Football Rumors, if Hoyer maintains this level of play, the Browns will have no other option but to extend his contract. If they do not, someone else looking for a veteran quarterback will swoop him off the market.
This will not be an easy decision for the Browns. Hoyer is playing well which is making Manziel expendable. Could the team make a trade in order to get another draft pick or impact player and then spend one of their first-round draft picks on a player like Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota? Not getting a good read on the potential talent level of Manziel could force Cleveland to move on from him, knowing that they could get a lot in return for the quarterback.
The chances that either quarterback is traded are slim to none. There is nothing wrong with the idea of entering 2014 with the same two quarterbacks especially if Manziel is showing more promise as a starting quarterback. There is no reason to trade a winning quarterback midseason. Hoyer is playing well and Cleveland intends on being on the receiving end of that talent. On top of that, Manziel is a solid insurance player. The Browns are benefiting from not having to rush their rookie into the starting role. Just look at Derek Carr or Blake Bortles. The Browns would be wise to simply maintain both quarterbacks for the long-term and not make any sudden changes in hopes of getting the next-best thing.
