Cleveland Browns News Update: Manziel or Hoyer? The Starting Quarterback is...

Coming into Monday's preseason matchup against the Washington Redskins, the Cleveland Browns were seeking a breakout performance to bring some resolution to their current quarterback woes. No resolution would come. The fight for the role of starting quarterback is still very much up in the air, even though Browns coach Mike Pettine said he wanted to make a decision by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Brian Hoyer was the frontrunner to nab the starting job at the beginning of preseason. Hoyer has been around the league in a backup position and led the Browns to two straight wins last season before falling to injury. While this is hardly enough to constituent 'brilliance,' Hoyer seemed like the more mature choice.

After drafting Johnny Manziel with the No. 1 pick, the Cleveland Browns were quick to announce that Hoyer was to remain the starter unless Manziel was able to beat him. Critics and fans alike questioned the move of a drafting a quarterback with the No. 1 pick, only to have him sit on the bench.

Through two preseason games, the stat gap between Hoyer and Manziel is extremely slim. Both quarterbacks have looked awful at times, with no clear-cut winner emerging to make Pettine's job easier.    

The first half of the Brown's matchup against the Redskins featured Hoyer going 2-for-6 and Manziel going 2-for-7 in the passing game. Pettine was visibly frustrated and so was Manziel, who infamously flipped off the Redskins sideline as he sulked back to the huddle.

Manziel was able to turn things around a bit in the second half, going 5-for-9 with a short touchdown pass. While the touchdown might have seemed to be a glimmer of hope, Manziel was playing against Washington's second unit defense, a far cry from the kind of competition he's set to see in an NFL game.

Pettine now finds himself forced to pick between a rock and a hard place. Manziel has a higher ceiling than Hoyer, but needs more time to develop and mature. His mobility keeps the defense honest, while adding in an extra threat for the Cleveland offense.

Hoyer served his time under Tom Brady in New England, so one would think that he learned a thing or two. Hoyer shows leadership and maturity, but lacks the big-play ability that Manziel has.

No matter who Pettine picks, he will likely have a target on his back at the end of the season. The mishandling of the Manziel/Hoyer charade has left both players in awkward spots.