Where Johnny Manziel fits in the bigger picture for the Cleveland Browns is anyone's guess at this point. The quarterback was drafted in the first-round and many believed he was poised to start the season, but instead veteran Brian Hoyer won the spot and has exceled despite a few hiccup performances. As Manziel continues to sit on the sideline and the Browns continue to mull over a contract extension for Hoyer, is the best option a trade?
Manziel continues to have a chip on his shoulder while sitting on the bench in Cleveland. The quarterback certainly expected a different outcome of the season, but instead his reality is seeing the field once this year on a play that was considered controversial. Manziel told reporters that his main goal is to make teams who passed on him pay. It just remains to be seen which team will give him that opportunity. Manziel admits that it could have been him starting under center for the Houston Texans, but instead he remains holding a clipboard for the Browns.
"Obviously, I have a chip on my shoulder for any team that passed me, not just the Texans,'' Manziel said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I think when my time comes, and I have a chance to play and show what I'm made of in this league, hopefully, I do make some people regret not taking me. It could've been (me starting for Houston), but at the same time, you're looking at the big picture like that and saying that there's a lot of couldas, shouldas, wouldas in that equation."
So where does Manziel fall in terms of long-term plans for Cleveland. The Plain Dealer made note that a trade could be beneficial for the Browns. The team already has two first-round draft picks next season and could acquire more high picks with the dealing of Manziel. That decision will ultimately be decided by what happens to Hoyer in his contract year. According to ESPN, the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans like what they see in Hoyer and could offer him more money than Cleveland will.
Could Cleveland be eyeing Ryan Mallett or Mark Sanchez in the future? ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that both quarterbacks are an option should Hoyer not return and Manziel not be ready to start yet. As for the rookie, there will be teams ready to take a chance on him. The Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders are all preparing to make changes at the quarterback position and Manziel could be a top priority.
