We all knew the topic was coming when the Cleveland Browns hired Hue Jackson. Frankly, it would’ve been coming regardless of who the team ended up bringing on as the new coach. Whoever was there to take the podium during an introductory press conference would’ve been asked the same thing.
“What are your plans with Johnny Manziel?”
It’s not a surprise this topic would be at the top of everybody’s mind. The man once tabbed as a potential future quarterback in Cleveland has been a major storyline as of late thanks to a now-infamous trip to Las Vegas.
So, it was only natural for Manziel’s name to come up when the news of Jackson’s hiring was announced. If the troubled quarterback was hoping to hear good things about his chances with the team’s new coach, he’s out of luck.
Soon after Jackson was hired by the Browns, word quickly got out stating Manziel’s time in Cleveland is about to come to an end. Reports claim both the Browns front office and Jackson agreed during their interview process that it was time to move on from the Manziel era.
If Jackson does follow through with sending Manziel packing, it might already go down as his smartest decision as Cleveland’s new coach.
Not that long ago, people assumed Manziel might be safe even if the Browns cleaned house at season’s end. Though he was getting back into his old partying habits off the field, he was looking much-improved on it. Additionally, since Manziel has long been considered a favorite of Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam, it was just assumed he might get an extra chance with a new coaching staff.
And then Week 17 happened.
This would be when Manziel supposedly showed up to the team facility “disheveled and inebriated.” When, despite being diagnosed with a concussion, he reportedly went to Vegas the weekend of the team’s final game. When he did so by trying to go incognito in a wig and mustache.
Believe it or not, such an idiotic move is frowned upon when you’re supposed to be a franchise quarterback. As a result, even Haslam indicated Manziel was out of lives.
If there was any doubt of this, it was eliminated today, when just minutes after Jackson was hired, reports surfaced claiming Manziel needed to pack his bags. To his credit, Cleveland’s new coach said he hasn’t made a decision yet, but this better just be a platitude.
Jackson couldn’t honestly think Manziel should still be with the Browns. Honestly, who in their right mind would risk their newly rejuvenated head coaching career by tying his success to a quarterback who may show up when he’s supposed to, and might do so sober? The truth is, Jackson would be torpedoing his tenure in Cleveland by retaining Manziel this year, even as a backup.
Remember, Jackson only got one year as a head coach with the Oakland Raiders before a change in ownership resulted in his firing. Just a little over four years later, he’s getting his second chance. It would be pure lunacy to risk losing this opportunity by hitching his cart to a player who’s shown zero evidence he can be trusted, who’s already destroyed the faith of everyone in the Browns organization.
Jackson may have said he’s willing to let Manziel prove himself, but this is difficult to believe. It has to be. Manziel already embarrassed one regime in Cleveland, and odds certainly favor him doing it again with this one.
The fact is, Jackson has to cut ties with Manziel. As badly as the problem-child QB wants his to cash in on his 25th chance as a Brown, he doesn’t even remotely deserve it.
The whole ordeal shouldn’t even be up for debate. Jackson is incredibly well-respected in the NFL. Manziel is the complete opposite. If Jackson doesn’t want Manziel to tarnish his image the way he did to former coach Mike Pettine, the only logical step is to oust him as quickly as possible.
