Vince Young

The Browns released quarterback Vince Young, owner Jimmy Haslam said on Monday.

(John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)

CANTON, Ohio -- The Browns have released quarterbacks Vince Young and Alex Tanney, owner Jimmy Haslam said Monday.

Young and Tanney became expendable after the Browns drafted Johnny Manziel in the first round and then signed Connor Shaw as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina. They also have veteran Tyler Thigpen.

"Brian Hoyer is the starting quarterback," Haslam said while speaking at a Pro Football Hall of Fame luncheon in Canton. "It's his job to lose."

"We were frank with [Manziel] on Friday that's the expectation, you're the backup quarterback," he added. "This is a hard-working, blue-collar town, this isn't Hollywood. We want you to come in and go to work."

On the subject of picking Manziel, Haslam denied a report he urged GM Ray Farmer to take Manziel instead of Teddy Bridgewater, as ESPN Cleveland reported. "It was solely Ray's call," he said.

While Manziel will go into camp as the backup, Haslam said four of the six players drafted over the weekend could start this season.

The Browns also released running back Fozzy Whitaker, defensive lineman Brian Sanford and defensive back Brandon Hughes.