Browns coach Mike Pettine has picked Brian Hoyer as starter over hotshot rookie Johnny Manziel.

Pettine met with his coaching staff Tuesday night and announced in a release Wednesday before practice that he'll go with Hoyer in the Sept. 7 opener against Pittsburgh. The decision ends weeks of competition and analysis.

Pettine delayed his decision after both Hoyer and Manziel played poorly in an exhibition loss at Washington on Monday. During that game, Manziel gave the finger to the Redskins sideline, an act Pettine said was factored into the decision.

Hoyer didn't win the job over Manziel as much as he hung onto it after beginning training camp as the No. 1 quarterback. Hoyer made three starts before a season-ending knee injury in 2013.

 

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