Johnny Manziel was demoted to third string on Tuesday, a week after being promoted to being the starter for the final 6 games. / (Photo y Daryl Ruiter CBS Cleveland)

BEREA (92.3 The Fan) – Johnny Manziel’s days in Cleveland may not be numbered after all.

Contrary to popular belief that his benching may signal the beginning of the end, Browns head coach Mike Pettine made it clear Wednesday that is not the case.

Pettine spent yet another press conference on Wednesday answering questions about the No. 22 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, a day after demoting Manziel as a result of videos of him partying in Austin, Texas over the bye week surfaced and went viral.

“It’s regrettable, but it’s something we felt we needed to do,” Pettine said.

While cutting Manziel was not considered, Pettine felt the need to deliver a much stronger message to Manziel than the one delivered a week ago when Manziel was named the starter for the final 6 games.

“Sometimes you have to take a step back to take a few forward,” Pettine said. “We told him yesterday, ‘This isn’t a dead-end. This is a hurdle. It is an obstacle.’

“Part of success in athletics is dealing in adversity. This will be an example of it.”

A week after Pettine named Manziel the starter for the remaining 6 games, he was dropped to the No. 3 slot on the depth chart.

As for the reason for the demotion, which many fans consider to be trite and trivial, Pettine cited the violation of trust after it was made clear to Manziel what was acceptable and not acceptable behavior going forward off the field.

“The position of quarterback is always going to be held to a higher standard than any other position on the team, that’s the reality,” Pettine said. “It’s not just about talent, it’s not just about what you do on the field.”

Pettine denied that this has become personal between him and Manziel, a player perceived to have been selected by owner Jimmy Haslam and president Alec Scheiner more for his notoriety and marketability rather than his maturity and talent.

The decision to demote Manziel was made by Pettine and with the full support of the front office.

“We all stand together on this one,” Pettine said. “There is a level of frustration, disappointment. We all recognize the talent. It is not just about the talent. You would hope that there is a maturation process that occurs, but we all feel the same way – disappointed, but not ready to give up; encouraged by the progress he has shown, especially from a football standpoint, from a pure quarterbacking standpoint.

“It is evident from this past weekend, but on the personal front that we all recognize that he still has a ways to go.”

Pettine made it clear that he is not bailing on Manziel or giving up on him and remains hopeful that Manziel can mature and develop into an everyday starter

“We want what’s best for him,” Pettine said. “There is no personal rift between he and I.

“There is nobody that is going to be more proud when he does turn the corner and he is a success. I don’t think anyone will be more proud than I am. Sometimes when you are a parent, you know that the concept of tough love is usually the best.”