Last year, the Cleveland Browns sent their fans into a state of ecstasy when they selected Johnny Manziel with the 22nd overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for the Browns, Manziel was an utter train wreck in his rookie season. After several off-the-field incidents, Manziel recently took the admirable step of checking himself into rehab.
Browns coach Mike Pettine says Johnny Manziel is doing better
Manziel entered rehab a few weeks ago.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
At the NFL Combine Wednesday, Browns head coach Mike Pettine gave a brief update on Manziel’s progress. “I did go to visit him last week. I’ll keep details of that private,” Pettine said. “We’re proud of him for the decision he made to go in.
“He has our full support,” Pettine added. “He’s in a much better place than he was before he went in and he’s determined to come out of it.”
This past season, the former Texas A&M star could not beat out Brian Hoyer for the quarterback job and only started two games, throwing zero touchdowns with a pair of interceptions. The concern about Manziel heading into the draft were his off-field habits with many suggesting the Heisman Trophy winner enjoys a good time. Manziel lived up to that reputation after his selection, spotted in Vegas rolling up a $20 bill in a bathroom, among many other late-night adventures. He then got in trouble before Week 17 for holding a party the night before a walkthrough, ultimately missing the practice.
Now it appears that Manziel is trying to get his life on track, but the Browns are still faced with a tough decision. Is Manziel the future of the franchise or a colossal mistake?
Pettine said that because of all the uncertainty surrounding the Browns’ quarterback situation, it was “probably accurate” to suggest they will look for another signal caller in the offseason, though he didn’t specify whether it would be through the draft or free agency.
Moving on from Manziel would not be easy. Manziel was seen as the savior in Cleveland, giving a city hope after so many years of futility. The team invested a first-round pick in him and is unlikely to trade him after such a bad showing in 2014. The Browns will not cut Manziel either, because if they do, the dead money outweighs his salary until 2017. Having Manziel on the bench would be highly uncomfortable, but perhaps something Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer would live with.
Regardless, the top priority for Manziel right now has to be his well-being, and that, at least, seems to be improving.
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