The Cleveland Browns are not doing themselves any favors in trying to get the rumors regarding Johnny Manziel to stop. While head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer have spoken out in support of the quarterback and his future of the team, they continue to make moves proving that is not true. With the first round of the NFL Draft just hours away, the Browns are aggressively seeking quarterback trade deals that could push Manziel out of the franchise.
According to Pat McManamon of ESPN, the Browns have offered their two first-round draft picks to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 2 pick with the intentions of drafting Marcus Mariota. The Browns currently hold the No. 12 and No. 19 pick in the draft and would package those together to move up the boards. This idea is certainly nothing new. Most NFL experts believed that the Browns had the best chance of jumping up the boards considering they have two first-round picks. Both teams have privately denied this report being true as Farmer told the media that nothing is set in stone and no talks have been serious.
"Yes, of course, things remain fluid and you always have to listen," Farmer said, via NFL.com. "When you get needy, you get desperate. We aren't either."
There are multiple reports surfacing as to what quarterback trade the Browns favor the most. According to NJ.com's Mark Eckel the Browns are pushing for a deal for Sam Bradford, offering one first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. Bradford reportedly told his agent that he would not sign a long-term contract with the Browns, but that might not have deferred the team's interest as much as some assumed it would.
All of these reports sum up to one thing which is the lingering doubt for Manziel. The Browns have said all the right things to the media regarding his status after returning from an offseason stint in rehab. They denied Chris Mortensen's report saying the Browns were "90 percent done" with Manziel. However, ESPN's Tony Grossi is confirming the idea that the Browns do not believe Manziel can be a franchise quarterback which is why they are being so active in talks.
Pettine continues to support the quarterback saying he looks improved in voluntary workouts. He made it clear that the Browns did not draft Manziel because of his popularity, but because he has talent and potential. Fans will find out just how true those words are in the first round on Thursday.
"We didn't draft him to sell jerseys or tickets but to be a top-notch quarterback," Pettine said. "His career didn't start out the way we wanted. We had to hit the pause button and we have reset. I'm not ready to give up on him."
