Johnny Manziel’s #ComebackSZN is off to a slow start.
The former first-round draft pick, who inked a two-year deal with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats in May, remains the second quarterback on the depth chart behind Jeremiah Masoli. After impressive appearances in preseason exhibitions for the Canadian football club, completing 21-of-32 passes for 168 years and one touchdown, Manziel remains on the bench, something head coach June Jones hinted at before the season began.
“It’s going to be fun just getting back on the field, getting the chance to play, take some snaps and do what I love doing,” Manziel said in May, per USA Today. “I’m excited from a personal standpoint just to get back, take some snaps and run around.”
Manziel’s status as backup doesn’t appear to be changing soon, given Masoli is second in the CFL in passing, with 1,378 yards through four games. He’s also scored four touchdowns — along with four interceptions — completing 65.8 percent of his passes for the 2-2 Tiger-Cats.
A former Oregon product, Masoli was signed by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2011, later joining the Edmonton Eskimos in April 2012. Masoli was traded to the Tiger-Cats the following February as part of a five-player trade.