Cleveland Browns Have Grounded Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel has been grounded by Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine.

Pettine explained his decision via ClevelandBrowns.com on Tuesday:

"“Josh McCown will be the starting quarterback on Monday night against the Ravens. I informed the quarterbacks of that decision after I sat down and spoke with Johnny, Flip (John DeFilippo) and Kevin (O’Connell) after practice today. Johnny will be the third quarterback. I’ve spoken to Ray (Farmer) and Jimmy (Haslam) to inform them of my decision, and they are in full support.“Everyone in this organization wants what is best for Johnny just like we do for every player in our locker room. I’m especially disappointed in his actions and behavior because he has been working very hard. The improvements from last year to this year have been tremendous but he still has to consistently demonstrate that he has gained a good understanding of what it takes to be successful at the quarterback position on this level. It goes well beyond the field. We are going to continue to support him in every way possible, but at this point, we’ve decided it’s best to go with Josh as the starter going forward.”"

The news came roughly a week after Pettine named Manziel the starting QB for the Browns. Manziel, who spent over two months in a rehabilitation facility following the 2014 National Football League regular season, celebrated what was supposed to be a permanent promotion by returning to Texas and allegedly partying last Thursday and Friday. A video of Manziel rapping was uploaded to Instagram, and websites Busted Coverage and TMZ picked up the news of Manziel’s partying ways.

Manziel, per ClevelandBrowns.com, had given Pettine his word that he would not do anything to embarrass the Browns during the Bye week:

"“Coach Pettine came in and said he didn’t want to micro-manage me or any of the other guys on our time off, but at the same time I let him know that I am not going to do anything that is going to be a distraction to this team or be an embarrassment to the organization. That was the thing he stressed to me as well. He stressed that back. I am going to get a chance to go and relax like everyone else in this locker room is. I think it is a point in the season where it is a bye and it is well deserved. We can come back and gear up for these last set of games that we have. Come in fresh-minded, ready to go and excited to be back on the football field. I don’t think you have to worry about me this week.”"

As with all things Manziel, opinions on the second-year pro being demoted to third on the depth chart behind journeyman veteran Josh McCown and Austin Davis have varied. Some who have posted on social media websites such as Twitter and who have called into Cleveland sports talk radio have stated that Manziel dug his own grave. They have brought up the numerous off-the-field incidents that are proof that the Browns cannot trust Manziel for even a week.

Not everybody, of course, agreed with those takes.

The reality of the situation is that people on both sides of the argument are right.

Manziel has a history of making headlines for upsetting reasons. That history began not long after he was drafted by the Browns. It is now no secret that Manziel was not all-in on improving as a professional during his rookie campaign. Manziel was a massive disappointment during the few in-game appearances that he made in 2014. There was then, of course, the October 2015 incident that involved Manziel being accused of assaulting his girlfriend inside of a car.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

Manziel was never charged regarding that matter. The NFL, following a lengthy investigation, decided that Manziel did not deserve to be punished because of the incident.

Dropping Manziel to third on the depth chart now, after everything that has happened, seems like an overreaction from Pettine. Manziel was not, as far as we know, involved in anything all that controversial last week. The only reason the public knows that Manziel partied is because a supposed friend wanted to get a bigger following on social media websites.

Manziel seemingly had a rather quiet afternoon/evening while attending Satuday’s Ohio State versus Michigan State game. He then returned to Cleveland to prepare for facing the Baltimore Ravens on November 30. Manziel was involved in a team-organized charity event on Monday.

One other thing must be pointed out: Manziel has also improved as a player. He completed over  70 percent of his passes and threw for 372 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 15. That now may be the final game that Manziel plays as a member of the Browns.

Cleveland coaches met with Manziel on Tuesday. The nature of that conversation has thus far been kept private. It is possible that Manziel informed Pettine and company that he has serious issues and that he cannot control his personal life. Maybe the Browns have even more information about Manziel’s weekend that will make it easy to get why he was benched. Manziel could be worse off than any of us, maybe even the man himself, understands at this time.

Next: Should Browns Trade for Matthew Stafford?

As things stand in the public eye, Manziel was grounded by Pettine and the Browns; as one would do to a teenager who lied and said she was studying at a friend’s house when she was really at a party.

None of this may matter much come January. The Browns are 2-8, and the team has lost 13 of its last 15 games with Pettine as head coach. Pettine, general manager Ray Farmer and Manziel could all be out of Cleveland next winter. The unending cycle of failing a fan base that is running out of reasons to spend money on a lackluster product continues on.

Same old Browns.