Hoyer, Cameron: Git-R-Done

Word on the street – OK, ESPN’s Adam Schefter via Twitter – is that the Browns are trying to sign quarterback Brian Hoyer to a contract extension.

Why wouldn’t they? He’s in the final year of his contract. Makes perfect sense. 

Now don’t go reading anything into that. Johnny Manziel is, at best, the Browns’ starting quarterback against Pittsburgh in the season opener. At worst, he is the future starting quarterback if he fails to unseat Hoyer by Sept. 7.

The reason the Browns want to extend Hoyer is simple. He’s good and provides insurance should the Manziel scenarios fall apart. Give him a modest pay raise, get his signature on a contract now and be done with it.

From what we’ve seen, Hoyer is a more-than-capable National Football League quarterback. Having played under – and learned from – Tom Brady has paid off handsomely for the native Clevelander.

So why not reward him? The only problem is Hoyer might think he’s worth more than the Browns believe. And why wouldn’t he? After all, he played well last season before getting hurt. It is possible the Browns will have to overpay in order to keep him.

Nothing wrong with that. It is not a slam dunk that Manziel can make a successful transition to the pro game and having someone like Hoyer in the wings can only be beneficial.

The question is what numbers they throw Hoyer’s way in order to convince him to stay? Will it be starter’s money or something considerably less? That could prove to be a conundrum.

What about a hometown discount? Not likely.  Hoyer would be foolish to do that. His earning window is slowly closing. Now is the time to maximize that situation.

Some will argue this move should have been made well before the club drafted Manziel. Get him in the fold and remove all doubts as to how well fortified the club is at the position. Solid argument.

Once General Manager Ray Farmer buttons down this little problem, a much larger one awaits involving tight end Jordan Cameron, whose breakthrough season last also warrants attention.

Assuming he doesn’t revert to the injury-prone days of his first two NFL seasons, getting Cameron signed to a long-term deal would be a much more important move than the one being contemplated for Hoyer.

The importance of the tight end in new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s schemes should dictate a proactive approach by the Cleveland front office to get the Cameron situation resolved pronto.