Cleveland Browns to Cut Ties with Johnny Manziel after Latest Incident
Johnny Manziel has pushed the Cleveland Browns too far in his latest incident. According to multiple media outlets, the Browns have decided, after repeatedly dealing with Manziel's off-court shenanigans, that it is finally time to cut him.
In a statement released by the Browns' new director of football operations Sashi Brown, the team expressed their disappointment in Manziel. The statement did not clearly say that Manziel's time in Cleveland was over.
The statement read:
"We've been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field. 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."
The source stated that the quarterback will be cut on the first day of the new season, which starts on March 9, because the Browns do not have the salary cap space to cut him beforehand. If the Browns were to cut him the day after the Super Bowl, the move would count $4.6 million against the cap. There is a possibility that the Browns could explore trade options for Manziel.
Manziel is currently being investigated by the police in Fort Worth, and Dallas, Texas, and the league for an alleged assault. The woman who called the police identified herself as Manziel's ex-girlfriend.
Brown's new head coach Hue Jackson spoke about the incident on Tuesday to ESPN Cleveland 850.
"My general reaction would be disappointment," Jackson said. "As I've said many times, I would like for the Cleveland Browns' players to conduct themselves in a manner that represents the organization well. Obviously, that reflected differently on what we want to have happen. Obviously, it's a process that we're going through, and we'll continue to go through it."
There were high expectations since Manziel, a Heisman Trophy winner, was drafted. Manziel, however, was not able to deliver on and off of the field.
