Despite Drafting Johnny Manziel, Team Owner and Offensive Coordinator Say Cleveland Browns Need A Quarterback Next Season

Newly-hired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and owner Jimmy Haslam have a clear message for Johnny Manziel saying that the young quarterback is currently not the answer under centre and that the team is exploring options in improving that position for the next season.

"We're not sure if our starting quarterback's in the building right now or not," DeFilippo, who was hired last Jan. 21, in an NFL.com article. "If he is, that's great. If he's not, that's great, too. Whoever's in that room is going to be coached hard, be held accountable and be expected to do the things that we expect out of Cleveland Browns quarterbacks."

Haslam agreed with his team’s new offensive coordinator saying that they need to improve the QB position to be a legit NFL title contender.

"We've got to get a quarterback and got to get it fixed. What I would say to our fans is, we're going to continue to work really hard to find that quarterback who can make us a championship team,” Haslam said to the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. "Johnny has to show on and off the field he can be a professional. He knows that. Everybody in the organization has told him that. It'll be up to Flip and [coach Mike Pettine] to decide whether he can be the kind of quarterback we need him to be. He knows what we expect of him on and off the field, and it's up to him to prove he can do that."

Manziel was drafted by the Browns with the 22nd overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft and was a disappointment both on and off the field for the Browns. He played in just six games and was the back-up to veteran QB Brian Hoyer. Manziel and Hoyer will again battle for a start spot in the Browns’ QB position. Both Haslam and DeFilippo admits that Manziel, also known as “Johnny Football” has the potential to be a starting QB but needs to be more mature as a player and as person to get to the next level.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author of this article.