Browns Could Announce Brian Hoyer As Starter “Well Before” 3rd Preseason Game?

Bob Holtzman of ESPN reports that the “feeling” around the Browns is that new HC Mike Pettine will announce that Brian Hoyer has won the starting job “well before” the team’s third preseason game.

A Browns’  player told Holtzman that “we’re all expecting Hoyer to start” the first game of the season.

All indications thus far have pointed to Hoyer winning the starting job over first-round pick Johnny Manziel, so isn’t exactly a huge shock.

Hoyer, 28, managed to play pretty well to start the 2013 season before he suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

He will be entering the final year of his current contract and will make $1 million for the 2014 season. Hoyer’s agent has said that it’s currently hard to gauge his clients value and would prefer to wait until later in the season before seriously discussing a long-term deal with the Browns.

There is no question that this would be a calculated risk on their part, but could also pay off big if he were able to step in and preform at a high level.

Another dynamic to consider is that should Hoyer struggle as the starter this season, you can bet there will be calls for the team to make a change and play Manziel, who has already excited the fanbase and currently has the No. 1 selling jersey in the league.

We still have a ways to go, but it looks like the odds favor Hoyer opening the season as the Browns No. 1 quarterback.