Johnny Manziel's brief and turbulent run in professional football captured headlines far beyond traditional football audiences. His fall from the first overall pick to an effectively exiled status raises clear questions about when Johnny Manziel leave the NFL.
The exact window during which his NFL career ended was narrower than many fans realize, defined by short stints and repeated releases rather than a single dramatic moment.
| Season | Team | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Cleveland Browns | Drafted 22nd overall | Played 10 games, struggled, benched midseason |
| 2015 | Cleveland Browns | Released preseason | Cut before regular season after domestic incident |
| 2016 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) | Released midseason | Left team voluntarily in August |
| 2017 | Memphis Express (AAF) | Released before season start | AAF suspended operations before playing a game |
| 2018 | Montreal Alouettes (CFL) | Released before season start | Left club during training camp |
Broken Promises And High Expectations
When the Cleveland Browns selected Johnny Manziel with the 22nd overall pick in 2014, they hoped he could bring excitement and stability to a rebuilding franchise. Instead, his tenure was marked by inconsistent play, sideline controversies, and a highly publicized spiral that led to his release before the following season.
The Browns organization moved on quickly, signaling that his failures on and off the field made him untenable as an NFL quarterback at that time.
Brief CFL Stint And Voluntary Exit
After leaving the NFL, Manziel sought a fresh start in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. However, his time north of the border lasted only a few months, as he left the team in August 2016, citing personal reasons that were widely interpreted as another self-inflicted career setback.
The CFL exposure did little to repair his reputation with NFL teams, and he never received another serious opportunity to compete at that level.
A Failed Comeback Attempt In The AAF
The Alliance of American Football offered Manziel a second chance in early 2019 with the Memphis Express, but the league suspended operations before completing its only season. This abrupt shutdown temporarily halted any possibility of continuing his professional career on that platform.
Although the AAF collapse created a brief window where he might have returned, no legitimate NFL pathway remained open to him afterward.
Montreal Alouettes And Final Release
Manziel attempted yet another comeback in 2018 when he signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. He was released from that contract during training camp, marking his final exit from professional football at any competitive level.
This release confirmed that his services were no longer desired in organized football, effectively closing the book on his professional playing career.
Key Takeaways On Johnny Manziel's NFL Exit
- He was drafted in 2014 and released by the Browns in 2015 after losing the quarterback job and off-field issues.
- His CFL stints in 2016 and 2018 ended with voluntary or camp cuts, showing lasting damage to his professional prospects.
- The collapse of the AAF in 2019 removed his final realistic chance to continue playing at any professional level.
- He has not appeared in any organized professional football since his release from Montreal in 2018.
FAQ
Reader questions
Why was Johnny Manziel released by the Cleveland Browns after only one season?
He was released after repeated on-field struggles, a failure to meet performance expectations, and significant off-field issues including a domestic incident that made the organization unwilling to retain him.
Did Johnny Manziel ever play in the NFL after being initially released?
No, he never played another regular season NFL game after the Browns released him during the 2015 preseason.
What happened to Johnny Manziel in the CFL before his final release?
He had a short and unproductive stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2016, leaving the team midseason, and was cut early in camp by the Montreal Alouettes in 2018.
Was Johnny Manziel given another chance in the Alliance of American Football?
He signed with the Memphis Express in 2019, but the AAF suspended operations before playing any games, ending his last viable opportunity to return to professional play.