Johnny Manziel Demoted to Third String After Partying Video Surfaces

Johnny Manziel lost his starting spot after cameras caught the quarterback partying during his bye week.

Browns coach Mike Pettine called the behavior, which comes after an offseason trip to rehab, “disappointing” and “frustrating.”

Manziel’s bye-week carousing spoils his national coming-out party previously scheduled  for Monday night’s game against the banged-up Baltimore Ravens. Pettine announced on Tuesday Josh McCown will start the game at quarterback.

TMZ spotted Manziel on Thursday at the RIO Rooftop & Restaurant nightclub in Austin, where he partied the evening away with friends. The Summit Rooftop Lounge, where he spent the evening boozing on champagne, served as Friday’s spot.

Two Sundays ago Manziel threw 33 completions for 342 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Steelers. After TMZ videos surfaced showing the Heisman Trophy-winner drinking, dancing, and carrying on, the Browns reevaluated Monday night’s game plan. ESPN reported earlier that Pettine was “not in position yet” to make a final decision on his choice for quarterback. However, after taking into consideration Manziel’s unprofessional conduct he demoted the 2014 first-round pick to the third string.

Pettine stated, “The improvements from last year to this year have been tremendous but he still has to consistently demonstrate that he has gained a good understanding of what it takes to be successful at the quarterback position on this level. It goes well beyond the field. We are going to continue to support him in every way possible, but at this point, we’ve decided it’s best to go with Josh as the starter going forward.”

In February, the Cleveland Browns announced that Manziel entered a rehab facility: “Johnny knows there are areas in which he needs to improve in order to be a better family member, friend and teammate and he thought the off-season was the right time to take this step.”

In October police pulled over the 22-year-old on an interstate highway for driving erratically. Manziel smelled of booze and his girlfriend complained that he allegedly got physical with her. Manziel faced no discipline for the episode.