Cleveland Browns Rumors: Johnny Manziel Has a Chance to Lock Up Long-Term Starting QB Job

The Cleveland Browns will start quarterback Johnny Manziel throughout the final four weeks of the NFL regular season. Rumors are swirling that this is his final test to see whether or not he can lock up the long-term starting job moving forward.

Manziel was named the starter during the Browns' bye week, but got into trouble when he decided to go out and party. He was caught and photos were passed around the media of him partying drunk out of his mind. That showed immaturity and a relapse into the life that he entered rehab during last offseason to get away from.

Throughout the course of the 2015 NFL season, Manziel has completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 933 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.

If Manziel is able to come out in the final four weeks of the season and put up consistent production while staying out of trouble, Cleveland could give him another chance next season. Mike Pettine isn't a huge fan of Manziel, but he has admitted throughout the season that Manziel has improved.

At just 23 years old, Manziel is still maturing and is figuring out how to handle himself off-the-field. That excuse can't be made again following this learning experience for him. Next time he gets in trouble for partying off-the-field, it could very well be his last time getting in trouble for that particular offense.

Looking ahead at the future of the Browns, they simply cannot afford to move on from Manziel without seeing what he can offer. This is the chance he has been waiting on and he cannot afford to blow it.

Needless to say, it will be very entertaining to watch how the next five games go for Manziel. He has always performed well with pressure on his shoulders, which is obviously the case this time as well. Cleveland is hoping to see him prove all of his doubters wrong, but it all starts with taking care of business off-the-field.

Expect to see him show flashes of brilliance, but he has to figure out how to take care of the football before he can become a legitimate starting NFL quarterback.