Report: Browns Players Upset Johnny Manziel Isn't Starting Quarterback

It sounds like there’s a situation brewing in the Cleveland Browns’ locker room.

According to TMZ Sports, three starting players on the Browns’ offense said they want Johnny Manziel — not Josh McCown — to be the team’s starting quarterback. The players reportedly spoke on the condition of anonymity, but their opinions certainly echo those held by many fans in Cleveland.

“I love both Johnny and Josh but it’s (messed) up when you have Johnny come in and play well and has proven to the team that he is the right person for the job,” said one player who admitted he’s frustrated with the team’s quarterback situation.

“It’s frustrating to him and us when you sit a player down when he is playing well,” the player reportedly added. “Coach has got to understand you are messing up the chemistry and timing with players and it’s (messed) up.”

The Browns enter Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers with a 1-2 record. McCown started both games that Cleveland lost. Manziel started Week 2 when McCown was sidelined with a concussion and guided the Browns to their lone victory over the Tennessee Titans.

The Week 2 win created some debate as to whether the Browns should roll with Manziel moving forward, but head coach Mike Pettine opted to go with McCown in Week 3. It wasn’t a popular opinion among some Browns fans, and a few players apparently weren’t thrilled about the move, either.

“The team plays better when (Manziel) is in the game,” another player told TMZ Sports. “I play better when he plays.”

“You can’t get better unless you play,” the player reportedly added. “We won when he played and coach has got to trust him like he trusts Josh.”

The cries for Johnny Football are understandable. The Browns spent a first-round pick on the 22-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner, whereas McCown is a 36-year-old journeyman who doesn’t seem to fit into Cleveland’s future plans. Plus, McCown threw a costly interception Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, so it’s not like he’s rising to the occasion while Manziel watches from the sideline.

“When Johnny (is) in the game it puts the defense on edge,” a third player told TMZ Sports. “He doesn’t just sit in the pocket, he makes plays. Coach has got to make the change now.”

We might never know the identities of the three players reportedly vouching for Manziel over McCown, but wide receiver Andrew Hawkins probably isn’t one of them, based on a tweet from Tuesday.