The Cleveland Browns are trying to end the 2015 season on some kind of high note in the finale on Sunday. This year has been yet another disappointment for the team as quarterback issues once again plagued the Browns. That might not improve in the final game of the year as Johnny Manziel is reportedly under concussion protocol leaving Cleveland's options at the position very slim.
According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, Manziel was evaluated for concussion symptoms when he came into team facilities on Wednesday. It is unclear exactly how the quarterback suffered the issue as he was placed on a pre-practice injury list. Manziel has been the starter for the past three games, but Austin Davis could take his place if he is not cleared to play. Terrelle Pryor would be the emergency quarterback.
The concussion to Manziel is just another hit to the quarterback in this week alone. According to ESPN.com, the quarterback is under fire following a social media video of the quarterback partying. A similar issue caused Manziel to be benched earlier in the month. According to head coach Mike Pettine, he will evaluate the issue and determine the best move to make heading into the last game of the year.
"Any time there's something with our players that casts them potentially in a bad light, whether it's Johnny or any of our other guys, it's certainly a concern," Pettine said, via ESPN.com. "I'm sure I'll see it and have a discussion with him about it. These circumstances are different from the incident that occurred before."
There is a belief that Manziel could be playing his final game with the Cleveland Browns if cleared for Week 17. The quarterback has not shown enough to be considered the franchise quarterback for 2016 while off-the-field issues continue to haunt him in his second year in the league. To make matters worse for Manziel, ESPN's Pat McManamon reports that both Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer could be fired at the end of the year. That would leave no one in the quarterback's corner. However, could a hiring of Chip Kelly save the quarterback?
If Pettine is fired at the end of the season, Kelly could be a very really possibility for the Browns after he was let go in Philadelphia. Kelly once recruited Manziel to come play at Oregon as he told the media, "I love the kid." The type of offense Kelly likes to run is tailor made for Manziel's skillset. The quarterback is at his best when he is moving on his feet, something Pettine did not encourage. Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam will be looking for a big name should Pettine be let go and Kelly fits the bill. He could be the head coach that pushes Manziel's career to the next level.
The Browns have key pieces that will any head coach's job easy. Duke Johnson, Isaiah Crowell and Gary Barnidge are solid offensive weapons. Cleveland simply needs a quarterback that can take advantage of it. Kelly might have the ability to turn Manziel into that type of quarterback.
