CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- With coach Mike Pettine admitting this week that the Browns will have doubts about Johnny Manziel even if he hits "it out of the park'' in the final two games and "a ton of doubts'' if he doesn't play well, the Browns will explore all of their options at quarterback, including trading up into the top five to draft Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.



Browns general manager Ray Farmer has repeatedly said that he'll always explore every option at all positions -- and Mariota is one glaring and tempting possibility for the Browns this offseason. The Browns have scouted him this season and will continue to do so.

It would be an incredible longshot, but not impossible.

Since last year, league sources have been telling cleveland.com that Farmer is enamored with Mariota, the 6-4, 215 phenom from Oregon. Mariota cemented his status as the top quarterback in the draft -- and likely No. 1 overall pick -- with another terrific season for the high-flying Ducks.

If the Browns reach the conclusion after Manziel's three starts that he's not their quarterback of the future, they'll consider every possibility for an upgrade at the position, including making a pitch for the premier quarterback in the draft.

The Browns will have two mid-first round picks in 2015, their own and the one they received from Buffalo in the trade down from No. 4 to No. 9. (they then moved back up a spot to take cornerback Justin Gilbert at No. 8). The Browns would likely have to trade both of those picks, and next year's No. 1 for a shot at Mariota.



If the season ended today, the Browns would have the No. 14 (their own) and No. 19 (Buffalo's) picks in the first round. The price tag for Mariota would be similar to what the Redskins paid the Rams to move up from No. 6 to No. 2 in 2012: two more No. 1s and a No. 2.

But if Mariota is as good as advertised, he could be worth it.

After Mariota, the next best quarterback in the draft is Florida State's Jameis Winston, who comes with a ton of off-the-field baggage, unlike the squeaky-clean Heisman Trophy winner. The one knock against Mariota is that he might actually be too nice and might need to develop the requisite edge to succeed at this level.



If Manziel doesn't show enough flashes of the Johnny Football he was at Texas A&M over these next two games, the Browns might even consider trading him and cutting their losses. With Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admitting on several occasions earlier this season that he regrets passing on Manziel at No. 16, perhaps he'd still be willing to part with a pick for him. The Browns haven't made a huge financial investment in Manziel, and wouldn't be out much from a financial standpoint if he doesn't work out.



His four-year contract is worth $8.248 million, including $7.998 million guaranteed. He averages $2.062 million a year. For comparison's sake, Browns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin has made $20.3 million over the last three seasons, including $6.6 million this year alone.

Of course, the Browns might also decide that three games is too small a sample to give up on their No. 22 overall pick. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said this week that he still feels the same way about Manziel and that "Johnny's a playmaker.'' Shanahan seems convinced he can bring the best out in Manziel once he really grasps the offense.

But if Manziel is going to live up to his first-round status, he'll have to work harder than he ever has in his life -- and certainly harder than he has this season. Manziel might think he's been grinding, but it's nothing compared to the level of dedication and commitment it takes to be great in this league. Even if he puts in all the necessary time and effort in the offseason, he still might not have what it takes.

Or he might. The Browns won't know for sure until next season when he has a full offseason to study the playbook and a full training camp as the starter under his belt.

Even if the Browns conclude that Manziel can be their franchise quarterback, they'll still need to find a veteran who can step in and win games for them in the event he can't cut it. Next year can't be all about developing a young quarterback. After the Browns got a taste of winning this season and remained in the AFC North race until week 14, owner Jimmy Haslam won't tolerate losing next season -- and he'll undoubtedly expect a playoff berth in his third full year.

Brian Hoyer is actually one of the best quarterbacks set to hit the free agent market after this season. But will the Browns want to head into 2015 with Manziel and Hoyer again, especially after Hoyer's late-season four-game tailspin? Manziel's failure last week to provide the spark the Browns were seeking from the quarterback position against the Bengals somewhat vindicates Hoyer, but the Browns still don't view him as a long-term starting answer.

Besides, with as many as a dozen teams looking for a starter next season, Hoyer will likely get some looks as a No. 1 -- or at least have a chance to compete for a job. If he garners only backup attention, he'd probably consider re-signing with the Browns because he wants to raise his family here.

The way he's handled the aftermath of his benching has kept the door open for him to return in some capacity. Hoyer handled it like a true pro and helped Manziel and Shanahan during the game last week.

"He's handled it exactly how you would have expected him to handle it,'' said Pettine. "He's very mature, professional, team guy, wants us to win. Does it sit well with him, what happened? Absolutely not. He's made that clear, and knowing the type of competitor that he is, it wouldn't be any other way. Absolutely, what you see with Brian is what we're getting.''

If Hoyer leaves in free agency and the Browns still think Manziel can be the guy, they'll need to find another veteran somewhere -- either on the market, on the street or through a trade.

Chicago's Jay Cutler - who's 44-37 with the Bears -- will likely be available, but he comes with a huge price tag, including $15.5 million guaranteed next year for any team that trades for him. Besides, Farmer has made it clear that he doesn't think it takes a marquee quarterback to compete at the highest level. The Browns are all about building the team around the quarterback, who only has to compliment the supporting cast, not carry it.

Griffin III might become available -- and enjoyed his greatest success as a rookie under Shanahan -- but he seemed to blame the Shanahans for his second-season woes, and that ship may have sailed. Other quarterbacks poised to hit the market are Jake Locker, Michael Vick, Ryan Mallett, Mark Sanchez (whom Pettine liked when they were in New York together), Christian Ponder, Colt McCoy and Jason Campbell. Shanahan also likes Redskins backup Kirk Cousins, who showed promise when Shanahan coached him.

The Browns also have developmental quarterback Connor Shaw on their practice squad, and he's impressed the staff this season with his ability and work ethic.

Of course, Manziel can make the organization breathe a little easier by playing well against the 5-8-1 Panthers on Sunday and next week in Baltimore. Even if he doesn't win, he can show enough that they might not feel compelled to spend another high pick on a quarterback.

"Everybody's going to have an off day, and for us, obviously it wasn't our best day,'' Manziel said of his disappointing debut. "It wasn't the way that I wanted to get my start off here in Cleveland. Obviously, I didn't want to come out and lay an egg like that my first start, especially at home.

"Nobody wants that, but at the same time, one game doesn't define you as a player. It doesn't define you. Really, what defines you is how you bounce back from that and what you do in the following weeks.''

But as Pettine noted, three games does not a franchise quarterback make, and the Browns will have to keep everything on the table in the offseason -- even a blockbuster trade for another Heisman Trophy winner.