Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has been released from rehab, according to ESPN. Manziel checked into a drug and alcohol treatment facility on Jan. 28, completing over two months of treatment prior to his release.
Johnny Manziel reportedly released from rehab
The second-year pro spent two months in a rehab treatment facility but should be ready for offseason workouts.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Browns general manager Ray Farmer said that the team expects Manziel to take part in offseason workouts beginning on April 20, but also noted that he wasn’t the “point person” when it comes to decisions on Manziel’s rehab. In other words, if the facility didn’t think Manziel was ready to be released and participate in football activities, it wouldn’t happen.
The report from ESPN also states that the Browns expect Manziel to attend the workouts on April 20, but notes that they “could see him earlier than that.”
Manziel still has a lot of potential and a high ceiling as far as being Cleveland's franchise quarterback, but he's going to rejoin the team clearly behind Josh McCown in the starting lineup. McCown was signed to a three-year, $14 million contract with $6.25 million guaranteed this offseason. In other words, Manziel would need to clearly out-play McCown to earn a starting nod this early.
But McCown isn’t necessarily a long-term option at the position. It’s unclear how the Browns actually feel about Manziel’s long-term viability at the position, but they wouldn’t be keeping him around if they didn’t think there was something there. With rehab out of the way, all eyes will be on him once again when workouts and training camp get underway.
Manziel has a long way to go to impress the owners, coaching staff and fans, of course, but he also may have his work cut out for him when it comes to his teammates. Recently, offensive lineman Joe Thomas, a locker room leader, said that Manziel lost "a lot of trust," though fellow offensive lineman Alex Mack said that Manziel "just needs to work hard."
See More:
