Former Texas A&M football star Johnny Manziel has been traded just weeks into his CFL career. Now he’s the presumed starter for the Montreal Alouettes.
Since leaving Texas A&M football for the NFL the professional career of Johnny Manziel has been in a decline. From the Cleveland Browns to rock bottom, Manziel has had to work his way up from nothing to earn another chance to play the game he loves. Without any offers from the NFL, the former Heisman Trophy winner ventured north to kickstart his professional career in the CFL.
Manziel signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and promptly earned a spot on the bench behind starter Jeremiah Masoli. A former SEC quarterback himself, Masoli currently ranks second in the CFL with 1,562 passing yards in five games. He is one of two quarterbacks in the league averaging more than 300 yards per contest. That put #ComebackSZN officially on hold, until now.
Six weeks into the CFL season the Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats put together a blockbuster trade which sent Manziel east to Montreal:
Here is THE TRADE: Hamilton sends QB Johnny Manziel, OT Tony Washington and OL Landon Rice for DE Jamaal Westerman, WR Chris Williams and 2 first-round picks in 2020 and 2021. #CFL #donedeal
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) July 22, 2018
Manziel had not yet attempted a pass for the Tiger-Cats, appearing only sparingly in preseason action. Although he wasn’t able to unseat Masoli for the starting job in Hamilton he’ll essentially be handed the QB1 assignment in Montreal.
Three different passers have appeared for the Alouettes in five games this season. Drew Willy leads the pack with 566 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Jeff Mathews and Matt Shiltz have two touchdowns and three interceptions combined. Both have attempted fewer than 50 passes.
Next: Every Johnny Manziel game at Texas A&M, ranked
For Manziel, the time is now. He’s been waiting patiently for his chance to play professional football and the investment made by Montreal to acquire him from Hamilton is too hefty for a backup quarterback. There isn’t any doubt, Manziel has been acquired to be the starting quarterback. The rest is up to him.