The Cleveland Browns have had a heck of an offseason already and the 2015 league year hasn't even started, as Jonny Manziel has entered rehab and Josh Gordon has been suspended for a year and now the team may look at a Kirk Cousins trade or signing Brian Hoyer as a free agent to take over as starting quarterback next season.
Ray Farmer has said that the team will look at QBs in the draft and after Manziel entered treatment, it's likely someone else will be starting for the team in 2015. According to ESPN.com, Manziel entered rehab treatment and could be there for a few weeks and this comes after a major report from the website that Manziel was unprepared and partied a lot during the season. Farmer is also dealing with a potential suspension and fine after an investigation into text messages sent from the booth to the sidelines during games.
ESPN also reported that the NFL is suspending Gordon for at least a year for violating the terms of his punishment after a DUI. The team now has some major questions going forward and they could look at bringing back Brian Hoyer in free agency after he opened as the starting quarterback this past season. ESPN.com reports that the Browns are supporting Manziel through this and that the team has his "health and well-being" as the top priority. Ray Farmer made that statement and this came after he already said that the team would explore quarterback options this offseason.
There are numerous trade deals out there potentially, including Jay Cutler, Nick Foles, Kirk Cousins, Robert Griffin III and Matt Cassel, while Brian Hoyer and Mark Sanchez are potential pickups on the free agent market. 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 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.
The Browns finished 7-9 last season and out of the playoffs after opening the year 7-4 and now they will try and rebound in 2015. Hoyer started off the season well and Farmer has said that the team is keeping tabs on his market. According to Pro Football Talk, the Eagles may look at trading Nick Foles, while Jay Cutler is another potential target from the Chicago Bears, although that deal is unlikely due to his contract.
