Johnny Manziel had a bad night, and capped off with a middle finger.

With all sincerity, it was probably his best move of the night.

Manziel has battled Brian Hoyer for the starting quarterback job for the Cleveland Browns throughout preseason. Hoyer started against the Washington Redskins Monday night and was nothing short of abysmal – 2-for-6 for 16 yards in a 24-23 loss at FedEx Field.

It was the type of performance that could have cast enough doubt on coach Mike Pettine’s decision to make him rethink Hoyer’s ability to be the man under center. Maybe, just maybe, Cleveland would go all in on Johnny Football in Week 1.

Manziel played his way off the field on Monday. The rookie from Texas A&M never settled into rhythm, never appeared capable of handling the speed of an NFL game, and clearly didn’t have the composure either.

As Manziel lay on the ground after Ryan Kerrigan put him there, Brian Orakpo flashed the Johnny Football’s signature ‘money sign.’ It was the purest summation of the evening.

If there is a silver lining for Browns fans, it’s that Manziel fell on his face in preseason. Better now, when games don’t matter. Manziel needs more time to prepare for this level. Time he wouldn’t be given as a starting quarterback.

After Monday night’s embarrassment, Hoyer will almost surely be named the starting quarterback by default. Manziel had his chance to shine and proved incapable of rising to the occasion, and that’s okay.

It isn’t Johnny Football’s time. Now he has a chance to be ready when it is.