Coach Eric Mangini said he's earned the right to finish the season as the starter.
Colt McCoy will start Sunday at Cincinnati.Updated at 11:13 a.m.
BEREA -- Browns coach Eric Mangini stepped out of character on Thursday and named Colt McCoy his starting quarterback.
Not just for Sunday's game in Cincinnati. For the remainder of the season.
"I felt like he's earned this opportunity and I want to give it to him," Mangini said. "I want to see how he continues to grow. This is by no stretch just trhowing a young guy in for the sake of throwing a young guy in. If I didn't think he could go out and lead us and be successful doing that, then I wouldn't make this decision. But I do feel that way and I feel strongly about it."
Mangini said the decision was his and he informed President Mike Holmgren after he arrived at it.
McCoy hasn't played since suffering a high left ankle sprain in Jacksonville on Nov. 21.
Mangini said McCoy was "excited, but also determined" upon hearing the news.
At the same time, veteran Jake Delhomme handled his demotion well, Mangini said.
"He couldn't have been more supportive, not only of Colt but of the whole team," Mangini said. "Colt is incredibly lucky to have someone like him in the building at this point of his career. You can't ask for a better player, a better person."
Mangini said he has not determined whether Delhomme or Seneca Wallace would serve as the No. 2 quarterback Sunday in Cincinnati. It's likely that role would go to Wallace because he would have to be No. 2 to contribute in some Wildcat packages.