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Browns: Two-QB system 'on the table'

NFL, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns seem to have a backup plan in place for quarterback Johnny Manziel, as coach Mike Pettine hinted that the team is exploring ways to get him on the field and that a two-quarterback system "is on the table."

"I think in the NFL that you do yourself a disservice if you don't have two quarterbacks ready," Pettine said Friday on "The Opening Drive" on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "And people have asked me about potentially a two-quarterback system and having a package for him. That is on the table.

"I don't know if that's anything that we want to commit to just now because Brian [Hoyer] -- because of the competition -- is a little bit behind in the chemistry and continuity of working with that first group."

On Wednesday, Pettine had announced Hoyer as the team's starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We didn't see him as truly behind, but it was just Brian had that slight edge," Pettine said of Manziel. "We're confident that if we do put Johnny in a game, he'll play well."

Pettine added that it's been a long time since the Browns haven't had to use two quarterbacks in a season for various reasons.

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