Johnny Manziel wants to play in NFL in 2016, knows 2017 is more realistic
Johnny Manziel has not given up on his NFL career. In fact, Manziel’s lawyer says the former Cleveland Browns quarterback is already working on preparing for the 2016 season.
“His immediate plans are to start getting ready for football,” attorney Jim Darnell told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “We’re working on it.”
Fowler reports that Manziel realizes the chances of a team signing him in 2016 might be slim, and the 23-year-old understands he might have a better chance of returning to action in 2017.
It’s almost impossible to imagine an NFL team signing Manziel this summer. His list of problems is growing by the day, and there have been reports that his friends are concerned he has a drug problem. One family friend told Fowler that Manziel’s parents are “just sick” over the current condition their son is in.
“This is a crisis,” the friend said. “I hope someone kicks the s— out of the kid and forces him to get right.”
Manziel is still awaiting a hearing later this month for a misdemeanor assault charge after he was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend. He was reportedly kicked out of a club for hitting someone. Manziel and his friends were also accused of trashing a rental property and leaving drugs and booze everywhere. And that’s not even all the trouble Manziel has found himself in.
Football doesn’t seem like Manziel’s priority at the moment, and it probably shouldn’t be. Everyone can see he needs help. It would be a complete shock if an NFL team gave him a chance in the near future.
