Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel might soon be on the football field again, just not in the NFL. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League announced today that Manziel has been ruled eligible to play in the CFL in 2018.
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie is reportedly prepared to approve a contract for Johnny Football if he can reach a deal with the Tiger-Cats, the team that owns his negotiating rights.
“Since last summer, the Canadian Football League has been engaged in a thorough process to determine the eligibility of Johnny Manziel,” the CFL said in a release. “This process has been conducted with the cooperation of Mr. Manziel and independent of the team which currently holds his CFL rights, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“As a result of this process, the commissioner has now informed Mr. Manziel and the Tiger-Cats he is prepared to approve a contract for Mr. Manziel should one be negotiated. The process that led to this decision does, however, continue. Mr. Manziel has been informed he must continue to meet a number of conditions in order to remain eligible. These conditions, while extensive and exacting, remain confidential.”
Manziel has been out of the NFL since the end of the 2015 season and he has dealt with several off the field issues including alcohol abuse. The 25-year old Heisman winner was selected by the Browns with the 22nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, but he appeared in just 15 games over his two seasons in the league.