When examining the quarterback battles this offseason, we've debated whether the Cleveland Browns are worth mentioning.
This is Josh McCown's job by all accounts. Johnny Manziel seemed more likely to be the team's No. 3 quarterback than the starter in Week 1. Yet coach Mike Pettine won't name McCown the starter just yet.
"I wouldn't say I'm guaranteeing that Josh is going to be the starter against the Jets," Pettine told reporters Monday via The Plain-Dealer.
Pettine would only say that McCown would start if the team had a game this weekend, but wouldn't commit beyond that. Still he admitted that there is separation between McCown and Manziel.
"I would say there is (separation)," said Pettine. "Josh's skillset is very different than Johnny's. ... Having been with Flip (offensive coordinator John DeFilippo) before, he's that much further ahead."
Pettine doesn't want to guarantee the Week 1 starter because NFL coaches are preprogrammed to not give away any information, however obvious it is. It would be stunning if Manziel starts in September, much less the season opener.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast discusses what coaches are on the hot seat heading into 2015.