Johnny Manziel is still in rehab nearly six weeks after he first checked in to the facility on Jan. 28, according to Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine.
Mike Pettine confident Johnny Manziel will be better in 2015
More than 40 days after Johnny Manziel entered rehab, the former Heisman Trophy winner is still working on his recovery.
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Pettine spoke with Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Monday about the progress that Manziel has made since checking in for rehab in January for possible alcohol and substance abuse. While many treatment programs have a 28-day minimum, Manziel has spent over 40 days at the facility, where Pettine has visited him multiple times.
At the NFL Combine, Pettine told reporters that Manziel was “in a much better place,” but on Monday he did not reveal many details about the progress he has made or the circumstances that led to his decision to go to rehab. However, he did speak optimistically about the young quarterback’s future:
“It’s something that he was very resolute that needed to get done and again, I’ll respect his privacy and leave it at that.”
As a rookie, Manziel started just two games and finished 0-2 in those games. He completed 18 of 35 passes on the year for 175 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns, although he did have a rushing touchdown.
Since the end of the regular season, the Browns have had a coaching staff overhaul, of sorts, which Pettine believes will help the young quarterback.
“Well, I just think in hiring (quarterbacks coach) Kevin O’Connell, hiring (offensive coordinator) John DeFilippo, and knowing what those guys bring to the table from a quarterback standpoint that when Johnny is back, I’m very confident that he’ll be better,” said Pettine.
Manziel was selected No. 22 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft after forgoing his final two seasons of eligibility and declaring for the NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season. In two seasons at Texas A&M, he racked up 7,820 passing yards with 63 touchdowns and 22 interceptions along with 2,169 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground. In 2012, he became the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy.
See More:
