The Cleveland Browns have released 2014 1st round pick and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel. Manziel dominated college before being drafted 22nd overall to the Cleveland Browns.
Johnny Manziel Released by Cleveland Browns
In his first year with Cleveland he was fined for giving the Washington Redskins’ players the middle finger. After that quarterback Brian Hoyer was announced the starter for the 2014 season. Manziel made his NFL debut against the Bills and started his first game in Week 15 against the Bengals. It was a disappointing start as he only threw for 80 yards and had two interceptions.
Manziel was off to a bad enough start in Cleveland. But things got worse when word got out that he kept on partying when he was supposedly injured and failed to show up to the stadium on a Sunday when he had a concussion but was spotted in Las Vegas the night before.
Assuming he clears waivers, Manziel can choose where he wants to play next but has hurdles to clear regarding his behavior. His off-the-field issues make his immediate future a question mark. Manziel spent ten weeks in rehab after his rookie season and is the subject of a grand jury investigation in Dallas into whether he assaulted his former girlfriend. The NFL is investigating whether Manziel violated the personal conduct policy in that incident.
The Browns still will be responsible for Manziel’s guaranteed base salaries of $1.169 million in 2016 and $1.004 million in 2017, although any team that claims him on waivers would assume those guarantees. The Browns’ salary-cap hit for releasing him is $4.33 million.
Manziel’s waiving allows the Browns to have a fresh start and to move on from the constant attention and questions he drew.
In two seasons with the Browns, Manziel played in 15 games with eight starts. The Browns went 2-6 in those starts. Manziel has completed 147 of 258 passes (57 percent) with seven touchdowns, seven interceptions and a career passer rating of 74.4.
