The Cleveland Browns issued a statement on Tuesday in the wake of the latest off-field incident involving Johnny Manziel, and it sounds like the team is ready to move on from the quarterback.
“We’ve been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field,” Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown wrote. “Johnny’s continual involvement in incidents that run counter to those expectations undermines the hard work of his teammates and the reputation of our organization. His status with our team will be addressed when permitted by league rules. We will have no further comment at this time.”
That is a very strong indication that the Browns are planning to cut Manziel. As Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes, the team is likely waiting for a strategic moment to make the move official.
Again, #Browns most likely won't cut (or trade) Johnny Manziel until #NFL year opens March 9. They don't have the salary cap space now
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 2, 2016
Over the weekend, a 23-year-old woman — it’s unclear if it was Manziel’s girlfriend Colleen Crowley — called police to report a possible assault. The female was said to be uncooperative with investigators and expressed concern over Manziel’s well-being. That resulted in a search being launched for Manziel that included an Air One helicopter. He was eventually found safe and no arrests were made.
If you remember, Manziel was questioned by police over a domestic disturbance call back in October. You can see some of the footage from that incident here.
Since checking himself into rehab last summer, Manziel has shown absolutely no signs of giving up his party-boy lifestyle to focus on his NFL career. Videos like this one from a bar during the AFC Championship have shown him drinking and living it up, and it is very clear that the Browns want him to avoid that kind of publicity. It’d be a shock if Manziel isn’t cut over the next month or so.
