Johnny Manziel, recently released and banned from the CFL, could be returning to play in the newly formed AAF. But only when the league finds out why he was cut by the Montreal Alouettes, according to Action Network’s Darren Rovell.
According to the report, Manziel already has been in touch with the Alliance of American Football, where his rights would default to San Antonio (because he played at Texas A&M). San Antonio’s starting quarterback is Logan Woodside. If San Antonio passes, he could be an AAF free agent — as long as the league allows him in.
When Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, was cut, the Alouettes said he had “contravened the agreement which made him eligible to play” in the CFL. The eight other teams are not allowed to sign him.
“We advised Montreal that Johnny had violated one of the conditions we had set for him to be in our league. And Montreal announced his release today,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in Vancouver. “We didn’t release the terms of those conditions then and we’re not going to do that now.
“We’re trying to do what we believe is in the best interests of the entire league. The conditions we set we thought were the right ones. Those conditions have been violated and we feel it’s best, and Montreal feels it’s best, to let Johnny move on. And we think it’s best for our league that he do the same. And we wish him well.”
It remains uncertain what Manziel did to get kicked out of the league, though Montreal general manager Kavis Reed said the team would not have cut him if the league didn’t force its hand.
Manziel is on record saying he would like to play for the AAF or XFL, which will begin next year.
Manziel said recently on Barstool Sports’ “Comeback SZN” podcast that he was intrigued by the prospect of playing in either the AAF or the XFL, which begins operation next year.
“It’s great for football, it’s great for the guys who need more opportunity, need more film and time to play,” Manziel said. “I don’t know exactly what my exact steps will be for the next years coming up, but at least there’s a lot of options.”