Cleveland Browns Name Brian Hoyer Starter

The waiting game is finally over. Head coach Mike Pettine had originally planned on naming his starter on Tuesday, following Monday night’s game against the Washington Redskins, but Brian Hoyer will be the opening day starter for the Cleveland Browns when they take on division foe Pittsburgh. Vic Carucci first reported the news on Cleveland Browns team website.

According to NFL.com, Pettine said in a press release, “He was the clear leader from the beginning.” Hoyer was named starter prior to training camp, given the fact that he has five years of NFL experience. He had three starts for Cleveland in 2013, prior to tearing his ACL against the Buffalo Bills. 

He went on to say, ”We’ve maintained all along that if it was close, I would prefer to go with the more experienced player. Brian has done a great job in the meeting rooms and with his teammates on the practice field and in the locker room.” The decision to make Brian Hoyer the starter clears the quarterback landscape up around the league.

Johnny Manziel currently sits second on the team’s depth chart. With a difficult schedule at the beginning of the season, it may not be long before Cleveland opts in the direction of the rookie over Hoyer. After Pittsburgh, the Browns will face New Orleans and Baltimore before the bye week.

The timing of the Browns' bye week couldn't be more perfect. If Hoyer looks shaky from the start, Pettine could be inclined to make the switch the electrifying Johnny Football.