EXCLUSIVE

It's not just the Browns fans who want Johnny Manziel to start at QB -- several Cleveland players are also calling for #2 ... telling TMZ Sports it's "f**ked up" he's still riding the bench.

We spoke with 3 starting players on the Browns offense -- all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity -- who tell us the team wants Manziel under center on Sunday ... not Josh McCown.

One player who admits he's extremely frustrated with the QB situation says, "I love both Johnny and Josh but its f**ked up when you have Johnny come in and play well and has proven to the team that he is the right person for the job."

"It’s frustrating to him and us when you sit a player down when he is playing well. Coach has got to understand you are messing up the chemistry and timing with players and its f**ked up."

Another player tells us, "The team plays better when [Manziel] is in the game. I play better when he plays."

"You can’t get better unless you play. We won when he played and coach has got to trust him like he trusts Josh."

A 3rd player added, "When Johnny in the game it puts the defense on edge. He doesn’t just sit in the pocket, he makes plays. Coach has got to make the change now."