CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Quarterback Brian Hoyer was asked Monday about a report that he won't sign a long-term contract with the Browns if Johnny Manziel is with the team.

His first answer was: "I don't know who got that report. That's something that I have an agent to handle and right now I'm focused on Jacksonville.''

When asked a second time, he said, "I don't think I need to say any more than I'm from Cleveland and this is where I want to be. But I also am a competitor, so I want to be somewhere where I'm playing.''

The report came from Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, who said everyone he's talked to that's involved with the situation has told him the same thing: that Hoyer won't make a long-term commitment to the Browns if Manziel remains with the club.

He said even if the Browns offer Hoyer a deal that averages $10 million to $12 million a year, "he's not going to accept that deal if he still thinks there's a challenge coming from Johnny Manziel.''

Pressed a third time if he'd sign a long-term deal if Manziel were still here, Hoyer -- fresh off a 31-10 rout of the Steelers -- said, "I'm not going to answer that question.''

Asked if he'd like to get the contract done during this season, Hoyer said, "I'd rather focus on playing. That's my main emphasis right now. Like I said, I'm focused on Jacksonville.''

He said he doesn't check in on his contract situation "unless my agent calls me. It's not anything that I'm concerned about."

Hoyer -- the No. 8 ranked quarterback in the NFL with a 99.5 rating -- is in the final year of two-year contract that pays him $1 million in base salary and $250,000 in a roster bonus this year. For comparison's sake, other quarterbacks in the top 10 are averaging the following per year: No. 1 Philip Rivers - $15.3 million; No. 2 Aaron Rodgers -$22 million; No. 3 Peyton Manning - $19.2 million; No. 4 Carson Palmer - $8 million; No. 5 Tony Romo - $18 million. In the AFC North, No. 9 Andy Dalton is averaging $16 million, No. 10 Joe Flacco $20.1 million and No. 15 Ben Roethlisberger $14.6 million.

Cole also speculated in his report that the Browns might have to franchise Hoyer, who's 6-2 in a Browns uniform, while they work things out. The 2015 franchise number for quarterbacks is expected to be $18 million -- for the one season.

The Browns haven't talked to Hoyer's agent since May, but coach Mike Pettine told Peter King of the Monday Morning Quarterback that the club will likely reopen talks during the season.

"I'm sure we'll revisit the situation during the year and hope to get something done," Pettine told King. "It's not like we're not open to negotiations."

During his press conference Monday, Pettine declined to elaborate.

"That's probably more for (General Manager) Ray (Farmer),'' said Pettine. "I don't want to get too wrapped up into it. There is the business side of it. We recognize it. It also goes on behind the scenes during the seasons, but that's something that will more fall into Ray's turf and the agent. I thought Brian handled it well when he was asked. He doesn't want it to be a distraction now, and I have more than enough on my plate to worry about anything contract-wise."

Pettine also told King that the Browns still expect Manziel to be their starting quarterback someday, which is probably not what Hoyer wants to hear.

"For Johnny, I think (sitting) is the best thing for his career,'' Pettine said. "He can see how a pro prepares and executes an NFL game plan. Nobody's given up on Johnny. He has made great strides. This is a win-win, because now he can learn the game and not be forced into it before he's ready. Nothing's changed for us with him. We're hopeful he's going to be our quarterback one day. We just don't know the day."

Quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains re-iterated last month that the Browns are just as excited as ever about Manziel.

"There's a reason why he's a first-round pick,'' he said. "We're excited to work with that skillset he has. I'm not going to make projections. I'm not much into hypotheticals, but I'm pleased with where he's at right now. I think he needs to continue to get better, and I think if he does, he's got talent."

The hard part for the Browns will be getting a good read on Manziel this year in the event he doesn't play much. With Hoyer on a roll, Manziel has been plastered to the bench the past two games. Still, he thinks the Browns will know what they have in him.

"I think just watching me throughout practice, throughout the year, how I'm going through the meetings, how I'm going through the playbook, how I'm continuing to get better, I think Dowell, Kyle (Shanahan) and Coach Pett, as the year goes on, they will be talking within and amongst themselves and kind of keeping an update on where I am throughout the season,'' said Manziel. "I really think that's probably up to them to decide and see how I'm doing if that's the case.''

Manziel said he's been genuinely happy for Hoyer.

"I want this team to be doing as well as possible, and I think Brian has been doing a great job the past couple weeks,'' he said. "There's been a couple times where we really felt like we've been down and out, but at the same time, as an offense, as a defense, as a whole team, we've kind of rallied back around and made strides later in the game, which is good for us.''

Manziel said he's been progressing well despite his limited reps.

"I'm very in tune throughout the week, very (much) preparing like if something were to happen, that I'd be the next guy up to play,'' he said. "I think that's how it needs to continue to be for the rest of the season.''

He said his focus is to improve each day.

"I still need to try and continue to elevate my game, whether it's just being able to come out on the field and be a lot more comfortable in everything that we do as an offense, drops, still continuing to work on accuracy, arm strength, everything among that,'' he said. "(Among rookie quarterbacks) some guys sit.

"Some guys jump in right away, and it's kind of different every place. There's no perfect, exact formula on how each guy comes in. You just need to try and make the most of you being in the system, being here and just make the most of your time in the building.''

However long that might be.