To say the beginning of Johnny Manziel's NFL career has been underwhelming would be an understatement. He started just two games, lost both, tossed two interceptions with no touchdowns and ended the year on injured reserve. Now, less than eight months after he was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, his future with the team could be in doubt.
Johnny Manziel’s future with Browns in doubt
The Browns are searching for their quarterback of the future and, after a tumultuous rookie season, the team isn’t convinced Johnny Manziel is that player.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Manziel fueled the Browns’ frustrations by missing treatment for his hamstring injury Saturday, which drew a fine from the team. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Manziel threw a party Friday night and the Browns had to send security personnel to Manziel’s house to find him after he didn’t show up at the facility, as required, and wouldn’t answer calls.
Johnny Manziel
That party is also believed to be the reason why wide receiver Josh Gordon received a suspension for missing the team's walkthrough Saturday. In addition to the disciplinary behaviors handed down to Manziel and Gordon, Cleveland also declared rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert as inactive for Week 17 Sunday morning after he was late to a team meeting on Saturday night, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
SB Nation Studios presents: Johnny Manziel hiding under a table
The behavior of Manziel doesn’t help the fact that his struggles on the field have warranted some concerns in the Browns’ front office. On Sunday, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said on Sunday NFL Countdown that the Browns are still searching for a quarterback of the future. Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam is determined to find a “top-15” quarterback for the team and recognizes Manziel might not be that player after only one season.
Replacing Manziel in the 2015 NFL Draft could depend on the options available to the Browns. With a loss Sunday, Cleveland could land a top-10 draft pick and is also the owner of the first-round selection of the Buffalo Bills, which is guaranteed to be in the top 20.
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