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Johnny Manziel: 3 Teams That Could Ignite His Comeback

By Erik Lambert

Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) before the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) before the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) before the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) before the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Johnny Manziel isn’t quitting on his NFL career just yet. Supposedly clean from his alcohol and substance abuse issues, he’s trying to mount a comeback.

At just 24-years old there’s no reason to think he can’t. Roger Staubach didn’t become a full-time QB until he was 27 and that worked out pretty well. It all comes down to work ethic and desire. Manziel has the talent, it’s those other two pesky issues that eventually sank him in Cleveland. Since then he’s tried getting his head on straight and is even working out with NFL players like Odell Beckham Jr. to get himself in game shape.

Former teammate Travis Benjamin, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, said on NFL Network that the two met up recently. Benjamin was encouraged by what he saw.

"“I saw Johnny about a month ago through this PT guy we go to in San Diego and he’s looking good. He says he’s ready to come back and hopefully he’ll get a shot at a team and he’ll go in, continue to humble himself and play smart and play good.”"

If this ends up being the case, it begs the question. Are there any teams out there who might be willing to give Manziel a “tryout.” That is to say a one-year deal to let him prove he belongs on an NFL roster. One could argue his exit burned way too many bridges in the league. Then again it’s also become known as a business prone to giving troubled players second chances if they jump through the right hoops to prove their commitment. If Manziel shows that same willingness, here are three teams that might take the chance.

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Arizona Cardinals

One thing that Manziel is going to need more than anything else if this venture is to have any hope is structure. He needs a head coach and locker room environment that will be less inclined to letting any off-the-field shenanigans getting out of control. Bruce Arians is that type of hard-nosed coach and Arizona has that type of locker room. It’s filled with a number of leaders. Many of whom aren’t afraid to lay down the law if required.

Cincinnati Bengals

No team has become more famous for granting second chances than the Cincinnati Bengals. Adam Jones and Vontaze Burfict are two of their primary examples. That’s not including rookie Joe Mixon who was their 2nd round pick this year merely two years after being caught on video punching a woman in the face. If they’re willing to accept somebody like that into the fold, then Manziel is a cakewalk by comparison. He’ll make good competition for Andy Dalton and might make a solid backup should A.J. McCarron leave next year.

Washington Redskins

Does anybody think Kirk Cousins is not leaving at this point? He’s dodged every attempt by the Redskins to sign a longterm deal. Either his price demand is outrageous or he’s trying to find a way out of town. Could be a combination of both. Either way it’s clear Washington needs to start thinking about alternatives. Manziel would certainly be a headline-grabber that could generate interest in the team. Is Jay Gruden a good enough coach to get him pointed in the right direction? Hard to say.

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