The Cleveland Browns have committed to start Brian Hoyer over rookie Johnny Manziel at quarterback to begin the 2014 season, the team announced Wednesday morning.

"He was the clear leader from the beginning," coach Mike Pettine said in a statement. "We've maintained all along that if it was close, I would prefer to go with the more experienced player. Brian has done a great job in the meeting rooms and with his teammates on the practice field and in the locker room."

Hoyer started Monday's preseason game against the Washington Redskins, completing two of six passes for 16 yards. Manziel, the No. 22 pick in the draft, completed seven of 16 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' 24-23 loss.

The move comes on the heels of Manziel being caught on camera during the game making a middle-finger gesture toward the Washington bench.

"That type of behavior is unacceptable," Pettine said Tuesday. "He should know more than anyone that all eyes are on him."

Hoyer started training camp as the starter and though he admitted he did not play well in Washington, he never really did anything to lose the job. Combined with the reality that Manziel didn't take it away, Hoyer will be the starter for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Cleveland Browns have decided to start Brian Hoyer ahead of rookie Johnny Manziel to begin the 2014 season. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

"I think Brian's been very poised," Pettine said Wednesday. "I think he's handled the situation well. He's had a lot of things going on.

"I think it's especially good, as an offensive unit, to go out and play and gain cohesion and chemistry. That was one of the reasons I wanted to go ahead and make the decision before this third preseason game so that (Hoyer and the rest of the starting offense) could play as a unit for a good chunk of it."

The decision means Hoyer has a little more time to hang onto his dream of starting for his hometown team. Hoyer grew up in suburban North Olmsted, and attended St. Ignatius High School, where he played for legendary Cleveland coach Chuck Kyle.

Hoyer has only four starts in his career -- three last season with the Browns, one that lasted less than five minutes before he suffered a torn ACL on Oct. 3 against the Bills.

"I think a lot of people discount that," Pettine said. "Here's a guy coming off of a season-ending knee injury. Really, these are his first, essentially, 20-25 plays of live work back from it, and he's only going to get better."