Browns owner Jimmy Haslam may have given a strong hint as to both the team’s draft strategy as well as Johnny Manziel’s future with the team.
Haslam confirmed that Manziel was a no-show on Sunday and that details were vague on what the situation is.
“It is my understanding that he was not there this morning,” Haslam said Sunday night, via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
“I’m not exactly sure where Johnny is,” Haslam added. “Haven’t talked to him. I know our football people will be on top of that.”
When asked about Manziel’s future in Cleveland, Haslam was noncommittal, but dropped a pretty strong hint that Manziel may be out the door, backing offensive lineman Joe Thomas’s assertion that quarterback is the most important position on the team.
“It will be up to the coaches, and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi (Brown) and the GM as to who’s on the team,” Haslam said. “They will make those calls.”
“I don’t think there is anything that compares to it in professional sports in terms of importance to a team,” he said. “Joe has been around the game. He’s smart. He’s exactly right. We do have the second pick in the draft.”
Manziel may have used up his last chance with the Browns after not showing up at team facilities Sunday just days after allegedly partying in Las Vegas, which he has denied. It will ultimately be up to the Browns’ new regime, and a potential target like Chip Kelly may want him, but there’s only so much you can put up with.
