While the future of Robert Griffin III appears to be set with the Washington Redskins, the same cannot be said for Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns. New head coach Hue Jackson is reportedly not a fan of the quarterback, but the team has stressed they are not rushing a decision on his future. While Jackson evaluates potential options at the Senior Bowl, Manziel sits in limbo with the free agency market set to open.
According to Jackson via Cleveland.com, he has not spoken with Manziel yet, but he intends to. Jackson told the media that he does not want to say anything that would offer up speculation regarding the quarterback's future. Previously ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that Jackson made it clear in his interview with the Browns that he wanted to move on from Manziel following all of the off-the-field issues with the quarterback, but Jackson will not confirm nor deny that idea.
"I'm kind of really picking guys," Jackson said, via Cleveland.com. "Some I know on this team that I've been involved with at other places. Some I don't know and want to get to know. There's no rhyme or reason why I haven't talked to [Manziel], but it's just the process I'm in right now. I'm just kind of picking the guys as I go."
It appears to be a foregone conclusion that Manziel will be released come the official start of the Browns' offseason. With the No.2 pick in the NFL Draft, the franchise has taken a close look at quarterbacks available. The Cleveland Plain Dealer has reported that Carson Wentz has impressed during Senior Bowl practices and could be a potential target for the team while Jared Goff and Paxton Lynch are also high on the list for the franchsie. The issue is that Todd McShay of ESPN is reporting that none of the options are home run hits to start right away. They may take time to develop which could throw off the team's plans.
One good thing for Cleveland is that Josh McCown sits under contract. The veteran quarterback gives the Browns some flexibility as he could easily start next year if needed. McCown told the media that he likes the idea of Jackson has the head coach and he intends to get on the field if needed.
"When I watch the tape from this year and the last few years, I have respect for what the Bengals were doing because there's a plan, there's an intent to where they're attacking defenses," McCown said, via Cleveland.com. "It's well thought out and put together. To me, that's the biggest compliment of anything, because you are what you put on tape and that's what excites me the most about this."
If the Browns were to draft someone like Wentz or Goff and they were not ready to start immediately for the team, McCown could be the stop gap option that carries the Browns for another season. It might not be the favored short-term move, but it could help in the long-term outlook of the team.
