Brian Hoyer’s Experience, Leadership Make Him Right Choice To Start

The Cleveland Browns faced a tough decision about who to start at quarterback this week.

After Brian Hoyer’s recent struggles continued Sunday against the the Buffalo Bills, the veteran QB was replaced in the fourth quarter by Johnny Manziel, who completed 5 of 8 passes for 63 yards and added a 10-yard touchdown run in relief. While there was a chance the torch was going to be handed over to Johnny Football for the rest of the season, the Browns decided to stick with Hoyer for their upcoming matchup against the Colts.

The choice to stay with experience over Manziel, who could provide a spark, was the right one, according to former NFL quarterback Brady Quinn in his latest post on Football By Football. Quinn broke down the pros and cons of each signal-caller, but ultimately sided with Hoyer, as he gives the Browns — who are in the midst of a playoff push — the best chance to win.

“A quarterback change at this point in the season will require some adjustment on offense and the Browns can’t afford to lose any ground in their division,” Quinn writes. “Experience can only benefit Cleveland’s playoff drive.”