Derek Carr wants to help Johnny Manziel if he reaches out

The NFL careers of Derek Carr and Johnny Manziel have followed very different trajectories. Given the opportunity, Carr said he would like to help Manziel get through the troubles that forced him out of the NFL for now.

Carr told Peter King of The MMQB that he’s sad for Manziel and wants to help.

“What’s crazy is, you know, I spent a lot of time around him,” Carr told King. “He’s such a good dude. I obviously wish him the best, you know I hope that … hopefully one day he’ll reach out, [I’d] be able to talk to him and be a friend to him.”

Carr and Manziel were two of the high-profile quarterbacks in the 2014 NFL draft, and they went through the pre-draft process together. Manziel was selected with the 22nd overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, and Carr went 14 picks later, to the Oakland Raiders in the second round.

Manziel is out of the league for now amid myriad legal and drug-and-alcohol-related problems. Carr, on the other hand, has had an MVP-caliber season with the 10-3 Raiders, with 3,492 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.

Recently, Manziel celebrated with Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson after Jackson was awarded the Heisman Trophy. Manziel, a former Heisman winner, advised Jackson to “have fun in college,” Jackson said on The Dan Patrick Show.

Despite Manziel’s turmoil off the field, Carr thinks Manziel can make it back to the NFL.

“Obviously he just had a little trouble,” Carr said. “He’s still young though, so hopefully he’ll get another chance someday and he’ll be alright.”

Manziel seems willing to take Carr up on his offer.