Browns Sound Ready to Cut Ties with Manziel

The Cleveland Browns appear teeteringly close to finally doing away with troublesome quarterback Johnny Manziel, if Vice President Sashi Brown’s official statement is anything to go by.

Following another police investigation of Manziel over the weekend, again over allegations of domestic violence between him and an ex-girlfriend, Brown disclosed a response via the franchise’s official Twitter page.

The statement reads, in full:

“We’ve been clear about expectations of 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 second-to-last sentence in particular certainly makes it sound as though the only thing keeping the Browns from cutting Manziel right this moment is the red tape of the NFL’s offseason rulebook.

What’s more, all of Cleveland’s authority figures seem to be on the same page regarding Manziel’s most recent behaviour, with fresh head coach Hue Jackson saying his reaction was one of “disappointment.” When neither the head coach nor anyone in the front office has a mind to save your career, your head may as well already be on the chopping block.

Technically, the Browns could release Manziel as early as next week, but will wait until the start of the NFL’s 2016 season on March 9, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. According to the guaranteed money clauses in Manziel’s contract, the Browns must absorb his cap hit under next season’s salary cap. With no cap room to spare to close out 2015, Cleveland will simply have to wait it out.

But it’s all a moot point for a man the Browns hoped would be the saviour of their franchise…again. With Manziel a goner, neither ageing veteran Josh McCown nor career third-stringer Austin Davis are the answer at QB, meaning the Browns should look to fill the position once again in this year’s draft.

Do they like a prospect enough to take him second overall? Will the team show uncharacteristic patience and instead take the best player available? Will Johnny join Jerry Jones in Dallas; an offer the Cowboys owner has so often professed to want? Stay tuned. Cleveland’s Super Bowl starts now.