A return to the NFL seems almost unlikely at this point for former Cleveland Brown Johnny Manziel so other options must be explored. Manziel may get an opportunity in Canada very soon though.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League have announced that Johnny Manziel would be eligible to play in the 2018 season. Jamie Thomas of NHL.com tweeted out a statement by CFL commissioner Randy Ambroise saying that Manziel can play if he adheres to specified conditions of the league.
#Ticats press release regarding Johnny Manziel. #CFL pic.twitter.com/0fvnHfnfn0
— Jamie Thomas (@JamieThomasTV) December 28, 2017
Ambroise and Manziel met earlier this summer after a workout but was not eligible for 2017. Ambroise was still impressed with Manziel’s character and that played a huge role in Manziel being eligible for 2018.
Per Kevin Seifert of NFL Nation,
“He represented himself incredibly well in the meeting,” said Ambroise. He was thoughtful. I found him to be authentic and sincere. I also felt like he seems to have come to a good place in his life. He was talking a lot about his family. Now, I should say that’s part of the problem. My bias is towards family. So when I’m with somebody in there talking about my family, immediately I feel good about the conversation.”
“That’s exactly why we feel for any player who has had some trouble in their past. It’s important to not let the laypeople be the only part of the decision-making process. That’s why we’ve implemented a process where we’ll lean very heavily on experts who have training and skill that will allow them to really understand where somebody is in their personal journey and be able to give me wise counsel.”
Hamilton has exclusive negotiating rights with Manziel so a possibilty of him being in the CFL could come in the beginning of 2018.