Johnny Manziel releases statement after rehab

By Will Osgood | Apr 17, 2015

Dec 21, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) prepares to throw the ball during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel released a statement Friday, his first since exiting rehab.

Have you had enough Johnny Manziel talk yet? If so, it’s hard to blame you. But here’s a little more. Friday he issued a public statement for the first time since leaving rehab.

And he actually sounds fairly sincere. But you can be the judge of that for yourself.

Browns QB Johnny Manziel released the following statement. pic.twitter.com/Bb1fzQEBJv
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 17, 2015

Manziel, aka “Johnny Football,” was known in his time at Texas A&M for being a bit of a wild child. It appeared certain to wreck his professional career if he didn’t get it under control. Still, the Cleveland Browns moved around in the draft to select the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner with the 22nd pick in last year’s first round.

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After playing only sparingly in his rookie season, Manziel decided it was time to make a change. At least an outward one–something he can point to and say, “Hey, I’m trying to change.”

Whether he actually is or not will be proven over time. In the above statement, he acknowledges that himself.

Given his somewhat shattered public profile and what seemed like utter disregard for others’ opinions in the past, this looks like the first small step of progress for the 22-year-old quarterback.

The Browns, who reportedly wanted to draft Teddy Bridgewater in last year’s draft but were eschewed by their owner Jimmy Haslam, are again said to be in the market for a quarterback in the upcoming draft, and are supposedly quite interested in the possibility of trading up for Oregon’s Marcus Mariota.

Both were recruited by now-Eagles coach Chip Kelly at Oregon. Manziel transferred to A&M when it was apparent he would not play over Mariota (though their timelines at Oregon are not quite that synchronized).

Could he again be in competition with Mariota?

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