The Cleveland Browns have announced that Brian Hoyer has won the starting quarterback job over rookie Johnny Manziel.
According to the Browns, Hoyer’s leadership on and off the field and his past NFL experience led to head coach Mike Pettine’s decision.
“He was the clear leader from the beginning,” Pettine said. “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.”
In the Browns last preseason game against the Washington Redskins, Hoyer went just two for six for 16 yards, according to USA Today.
Last season, Hoyer started three games for the Browns before suffering a season ending ACL injury. He threw for 615 yards and five touchdowns, while leading the Browns to two wins before suffering the injury early in his third game, according to ESPN.
Hoyer has four career starts and 18 total games played in five seasons with the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals and Browns. He has appeared in just five games over the past two seasons.