Cleveland Browns NFL 2015 roster news: Josh McCown back as starting quarterback, Johnny Manziel demoted

Mike PettineWikimedia Commons/Erik Daniel Drost

The Cleveland Browns are returning to Josh McCown as their starting quarterback when they take on the Baltimore Ravens this Monday, after a video of initially announced starter Johnny Manziel partying surfaced. 

Manziel was set to start against the Ravens following a good performance in Week 10 which was a 30–9 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Facing the Steelers, the 22-year-old quarterback completed 33 of 45 passes for 372 yards and one touchdown, although he threw an interception and was sacked six times. 

After the loss to Pittsburgh, the Browns had a bye week and ESPN reported that head coach Mike Pettine said on his radio show that he, with offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell, told Manziel to handle himself the right way during the bye. 

Unfortunately that did not happen, as an alleged video of Manziel at a party was posted on social media. 

Pettine stated that after the video was released, the same coaches that reminded Manziel to behave appropriately before their bye week were also the ones who spoke to him after the posting. 

The Browns head coach added that he informed team owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Ray Farmer when they were making the decision regarding Manziel. 

Now, Manziel is pushed down the depth chart and is heading to Monday's game versus Baltimore as the Browns' third string quarterback. 

McCown, who was cleared to play after a hip injury, will again have the job as a starter which he was for Cleveland when the season began. 

In seven games played and started this 2015, McCown has 165 completions for 1,897 yards and 11 touchdowns, only throwing four interceptions so far. 

Pettine also expressed disappointment with what happened to Manziel because the young quarterback is already finding his rhythm and was improving with his game. 

The Browns are currently positioned last in the American Football Conference (AFC) North with a 2–8 record and are close to missing the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season.