The Cleveland Browns officially released Johnny Manziel Friday, as many expected, and the former Heisman Trophy winner will likely have to wait some time before another NFL franchise gives him another shot.
Manziel proved productive on the field in his second season in Cleveland, but off field concerns showed coaches and the front office staff that the 23-year-old quarterback was not serious about his football future. Manziel started six games for the Browns last season, posting a 2-4 record and throwing for 1,500 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
Many thought that the Dallas Cowboys would scoop up the former first round pick, as owner Jerry Jones was enamored with Manziel coming out of Texas A&M. Dallas' front office has seemed to learn their lesson after bringing in defensive end Greg Hardy last season, as they reportedly have "no intention' of signing Manziel. The Cowboys seemed to be focus on returning to their 2014 form when they won the NFC East division, and while injuries to Tony Romo and Dez Bryant last season were big reasons for the down year, there is no question that off-field issues negatively effected the team.
Former NFL player and NFL Network media analyst Heath Evans called for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to blackball Manziel from the league. "He is not worth the hassle and the detriment to your locker room," Evans said. "I wish Roger Goodell would pass out a league wide memo saying we are going to blackball this young man." Evans said that he is all for giving players second and third chances in the league, but he added that Manziel has continually "spit in the face of our league."
Manziel has had substance abuse issues since entering the league and has been involved in multiple domestic violence incidents, and many NFL franchises likely won't feel that he is worth the risk. Manziel will have to prove to NFL teams that he is serious about football and will put his team and the sport above everything else, but time will tell if the once-electrifying college quarterback is serious about his NFL future.
Former Ravens running back Ray Rice has taken all the right steps in speaking publicly about domestic violence and helping communities, but he has yet to be given a second chance since a video surfaced of his domestic violence incident. Talent clearly plays a major factor in whether a team is willing to take a gamble on a player with off field question marks, but most NFL franchises likely feel that the risk of signing Manziel won't outweigh the potential reward of acquiring him.
