Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel just can't get out of his own way.
Following a disastrous rookie season in which Manziel was rightly questioned for his work ethic and detrimental extracurricular activities, the young QB checked himself into rehab this offseason and seemed to be headed down the right path. His play this year even reinforced that notion, as he is completing 59.4 percent of his passes and has thrown for 933 yards with five touchdowns against two interceptions in six game appearances.
But Cleveland was forced to demote Manziel to third string after he lied to the team's coaching staff about when a video of him partying in Austin, Texas, was recorded, according to ESPN Browns reporter Pat McManamon. One week after being named the starter (following a 372-yard passing effort against the Steelers) video surfaced of Manziel reportedly partying during the team's bye week. McManamon reports that Manziel lied directly to head coach Mike Pettine about the timing of the video.
This latest incident in a string of unfortunate events may have sealed Manziel's fate in Cleveland. Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes the team will finally call it quits with the QB.
"I don't think they'll cut him before the end of the season," Cabot wrote, "but they'll probably part ways sometime in the offseason." Cabot also says that she believes the team "is ready to move on and if they ever get anything out of him, it will be a bonus."
Obviously, the Browns would love to get some sort of compensation from a quarterback-needy team in return for Manziel. But the second-year pro's checkered history and nontraditional style of play will not fetch much in the trade market. He has effectively killed any value he might have once held as a bargaining chip.
Since the Browns demoted him, they will not be able to evaluate him the rest of the season. This seems to point at an inevitable split between the two. Whether or not Manziel can resurrect his career elsewhere remains to be seen.
