How Sticking with Brian Hoyer Impacts QB, Johnny Manziel and Browns' Future

The Cleveland Browns made it official on Wednesday: The starting quarterback job will remain in Brian Hoyer's hands for now.

Initially reported by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer and then confirmed by the Browns and head coach Mike Pettine, the decision comes just days after Hoyer was benched in favor of rookie Johnny Manziel in the team's 26-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Pettine had said after the game that the decision on Week 14's starter against the Indianapolis Colts would come on Wednesday.

In a statement released by the Browns, Pettine said in part that "After thorough evaluation and talking to the staff, we feel Brian gives us the best opportunity to win on Sunday."
The Browns are currently 7-5 and in the playoff hunt. That record is what had Hoyer convinced he'd retain control of the job despite the "spark"—as Pettine worded it—of Manziel going into Week 14's game. Manziel completed five of his eight passes for 65 yards and also had a touchdown run of 10 yards.

The Bills game marked the third straight poor outing for Hoyer, two of which ended with a Browns loss. The win, a 26-24 road victory over the Atlanta Falcons, came on a game-winning drive engineered by Hoyer and finished by kicker Billy Cundiff; prior to that drive, Hoyer had also been playing poorly.

The decision to stick with Hoyer does not mean that we've seen the last of Manziel on the football field this year, nor does it guarantee that Hoyer gets a long-term deal from the Browns in the offseason or even the franchise tag.
In fact, the developments of the last few days further muddies a situation that was already poised to be complicated for the Browns in the offseason.

Hoyer is an unrestricted free agent after this season, while Manziel, with his 2014 first-round draft pedigree, is still considered the Browns' quarterback of the future. Hoyer's performance this year was mainly to determine exactly when in the future that may be, whether in 2014, 2015 or later.

With the benching last week and the days of deliberations that followed, it's clear Hoyer will be on a short leash to close out the season. Because, while Hoyer certainly had a hand in leading the Browns to their seven wins, at least two recent losses can be traced to him.

That's the difference between being 9-3 and in first place in the AFC North lead and 7-5, where they stand now tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and other AFC teams in the playoff hunt.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2288335-france-should-grant-legend-thierry-henry-a-farewell-appearance