Browns coach Mike Pettine said that Brian Hoyer is "securely ahead" of rookie Johnny Manziel to be the Browns' starting quarterback, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
However, Pettine said Hoyer's lead was in no way "insurmountable." Which means that nobody will be surprised if Manziel, the 22nd-overall pick in May's draft, ends up under center at some point early in the year.
"It's been hard to evaluate because Brian hasn't been able to take the 11-on-11 reps, but when we put the depth chart together, Brian will be No. 1," Pettine said of Hoyer, who is coming back from last year's torn ACL.