The Browns slogged through their 12th loss of the season Sunday in Kansas City, where Cleveland limited the Chiefs’ output on offense only to put up just 13 points of their own. Johnny Manziel completed just 40 percent of his passes for 136 yards and no touchdowns with one interception.

And yet, after the game Browns safety Donte Whitner said the Browns had their quarterback of the future.

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“I think we have a starting quarterback for next year,” Whitner told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “Anyone who’s seen the things he’s done the last couple of weeks can see we have starting quarterback and he’s only going to get better with a little more time, a little more work.”

Whitner said Manziel’s rushing ability is an opponent’s “worst nightmare,” and his performance on the ground vs. the Chiefs was noteworthy. Manziel rushed for 108 yards, and has averaged 23 yards per game.

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“He’s making plays with his legs. That’s a defense’s worst nightmare because he can break the pocket and make you miss and get his yards with his legs and throw the ball down field.”

Manziel still has more than a little work to do in the passing game, where he is still inaccurate too often, and he still struggles with decision-making. On one play vs. the Chiefs Manziel scrambled out of the pocket, and had nowhere to go. As he was being sacked he tried throwing the ball to an offensive lineman, who caught it and took a knee.

Still, Whitner may be right. The Browns are headed for the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in the draft, so if they felt Manziel didn’t have a future with the team, they can get his replacement. But this season’s quarterback class isn’t very strong. It’s highlighted by Cal quarterback Jared Goff, with Michigan State prospect Connor Cook and Memphis’ Paxton Lynch looking like the next best options.

There don’t appear to be any franchise saviors there, so Manziel is likely safe for now.

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