Johnny Manziel timeline:
On May 19th, 2018 after months of speculation Johnny Manziel signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. The former Heisman winner and Texas A&M star joined the CFL after under-going rehab over the prior years. Johnny Manziel was drafted in the 1st round of the 2014 NFL draft, 22nd overall to the Cleveland Browns. Manziel started 8 games for the Browns in 2014/2015 and had a 2-6 record as a starter before being released by the Browns on March 11th, 2016.
Johnny Manziel checked himself into a treatment facility in early February 2015 and checked out in April 2015 after a 10-week stay in rehab.
Fast forward to July 23rd, 2018 and Johnny Manziel has yet to play a professional snap in the CFL yet was part of one of the biggest trades in CFL history.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats traded QB Johnny Manziel and offensive lineman Tony Washington and Landon Rice to the Montreal Alouettes for Canadian defensive end Jamaal Westerman, WR Chris Williams, as well as the 2020 and 2021 first-round, picks.
Why it’s good for Manziel:
This is big for Johnny Manziel fans as currently Montreal doesn’t have an answer at QB and Manziel immediately jumps to the top of the depth chart. However, experts don’t think he’ll start this Thursday as his first practice with the team was on Monday. The Montreal Alouettes, however, is advertising him as playing on Thursday.
It shouldn’t take Johnny Manziel long to get accustomed to his new team’s offensive scheme as head coach Mike Sherman was Manziel’s head coach at Texas A&M. Johnny Manziel has a perfect opportunity in Montreal with his old coach and a QB depth chart that won’t threaten his playtime. Although Johnny Manziel is on a two-year contract, he wants to be playing in the NFL at the end of it. This move to Montreal will allow him to showcase that he can still play football at the highest level.
The move to Montreal is a good one for Johnny Manziel. While I don’t agree with what Hamilton is doing with Masoli (He’s a stat stuffer that only looks good between the 20s) and I think they would have been better with Manziel at the helm. Manziel will be able to start in Montreal and make more money as his contract is incentive laden and not based on salary.
Will Manziel be able to reunite with his coach from Texas A&M and turn around an abysmal Montreal Alouettes team? Only time will tell. If he does turn around the team, one would think he’d only in the CFL for two years and at that point, Montreal gave up a lot for a rental player.
If you don’t watch the CFL and still want to follow along with Manziel, be sure to check our weekly recaps. HERE
