NFL Rumors: Cleveland Browns Considering Cutting Johnny Manziel — Could Join Big Crop Of Free Agent Quarterbacks In 2016

As the Cleveland Browns have demoted Johnny Manziel from starting quarterback to third-string, it’s very possible that the team is on the verge of cutting the young star. Now, Manziel is likely going to land in a 2016 free agent pool of quarterbacks that could include a number of former stars such as Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III.

It was just yesterday that TMZ showcased a video of Manziel that had landed online and showed him drinking champagne and partying for two nights straight. Manziel partied at the RIO Rooftop club in Austin and then the next night at Summit during the Browns’ bye week.

Considering he entered rehab of some sort during the offseason, this was not the best thing that Manziel could have done. Sure, he didn’t land in any legal trouble during his partying, but it didn’t thrill the Cleveland Browns organization.

Just one week after being named the team’s starting quarterback for the rest of the season, ESPN has reported that Josh McCown has been put back into the spot. Head coach Mike Pettine knows what needs to be done for the team, and he isn’t thrilled with Manziel.

“Everyone in this organization wants what is best for Johnny just like we do for every player in our locker room. I’m especially disappointed in his actions and behavior because he has been working very hard.”

With this latest trouble, CBS Sports reports that the Browns are seriously considering cutting Johnny Manziel and giving up on the experiment. He wouldn’t be the only big-name quarterback on the free agent market either.

Robert Griffin III proved untradeable. Colin Kaepernick will be too, under his current deal. No one’s trading for Manziel. All could be FAs.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 24, 2015

Yes, it certainly does appear as if Colin Kaepernick‘s time with the San Francisco 49ers is done. He was benched earlier this season in favor of Blaine Gabbert, and now Kaepernick’s season is over due to injury.

There have been rumors that there will be attempts to trade Kaepernick, but they aren’t expected to be overly successful. Teams aren’t willing to take as big of a chance on veteran quarterbacks who have started falling down the success ladder since so many talented young passers are coming out of college.

Joining them on the free agent market will also likely be Robert Griffin III, who has had his time in Washington come as close to an end as possible. After yet another injury earlier this season, Kirk Cousins took over and has proven to be more stable and successful than RG3 has looked in years.

Fansided is already saying that the Philadelphia Eagles could look at going after both RG3 and Kaepernick in the offseason. Considering the team’s recent lack of a success rate with quarterbacks, this shouldn’t be very surprising.

If they do end up signing or trading for one of those quarterbacks, then expect to see Sam Bradford or Mark Sanchez (more likely) on the free agent market too.

All of this known, here is how the free agent pool of quarterbacks could look in 2016.

• Johnny Manziel
• Robert Griffin III
• Colin Kaepernick
• Mark Sanchez
• Tim Tebow — He’s always there.
• Michael Vick

Other possibilities are Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell, Rex Grossman, Matt Cassel, Tyler Thigpen, and the list may go on. There is always a big free agent quarterback market in the NFL each year, but 2016 will see a lot of first-round talent without a job.

Johnny Manziel’s benching is leading up toward the Cleveland Browns cutting him either before or right after the season. Colin Kaepernick, Michael Vick, Robert Griffin III, and others are only going to add fuel to the NFL rumors that claim many quarterbacks will be free agents soon.

[Image by Grant Halverson/Getty Images]