Poll: Johnny Manziel not ready to take the starting QB reins

He may have the best selling jersey in the NFL, but it seems fans, even in Ohio -- yes Ohio -- don’t believe Johnny Manziel should be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

Of the more than 158,460 votes, 61% chose Brian Hoyer over “Johnny Football” for the top job, according to a Wednesday ESPN poll.

Manziel, the Texas A&M star who won the Heisman Trophy in 2012 and was drafted by the Browns in the first round this spring, is not favored to be the starter for Cleveland in a single state, according to the poll.

As a matter of fact, 75% of the 5,851 Ohio voters wanted Hoyer.

Hoyer, a 28-year-old hometown quarterback, began his career as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots before spending a season with the Arizona Cardinals. The Browns signed him before last season to a two-year contract.

Manziel is just as well known for his antics off the football field, leading to his party boy image. It is unclear how much, if any, of the label hindered fans’ confidence in Manziel.

It was announced Wednesday that Manziel will not start at quarterback in the Browns’ preseason opener against the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

Staff writer Dan Loumena contributed to this report.

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