With the XFL gearing up for its return in 2020. A lot of the focus on the league right now is on its players. With seven XFL Summer Showcases down and one more to go July 13th. Between potential players and a pending team name and logos announcement. The buzz around the XFL is continuing to grow.
One name left out of the Summer Showcase mix so far has been one of the most notable free agents in football, Johnny Manziel. The former Heisman trophy winner and former first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns has been a name tied to the new XFL. But is the XFL that interested in him?
Missing From Houston And Dallas Showcase
Manziel is from Texas and is a big name in that state. So speculation that he would wind up with one of the Texas XFL franchises is high. However, he did not appear in the XFL Dallas and XFL Houston Summer Showcase events. What made the situation even odder was that he was actually in Houston at the time doing an autograph signing.
ESPN wrote the following story Manziel interested in playing for Houston in XFL, in which he was at the TriStar collectors show in Houston. The same day there was an XFL Showcase in Houston.
As part of the interview, Manzeil said about joining the XFL. “When the opportunity presents itself.” He says it multiple times in the interview. One could speculate that “the opportunity” meaning if the XFL calls. Which based on the sound bite, sounds like the XFL has not called him.
Oliver Luck Specifically Asked About Manziel
During the XFL Summer Showcase in Washington, DC, Oliver Luck was explicitly asked about Manziel joining the XFL by USA Today, he said “Well, I don’t know that yet,” Luck told USA TODAY Sports. “That remains to be seen.” He went on to say that the XFL Showcase is in part about getting some tape and stats on potential XFL players.
There is plenty of tape on Manziel from his NFL, CFL and AAF days. As well as knowledge of him from current XFL coaches like June Jones who coached him briefly with the Hamiton Tight-cats of the CFL and Marc Trestman, a longtime coach in the CFL.
There is a lot of film on Manziel as well, but he has not really played football in the last couple of years. You would think if a team wanted to make him their franchise guy, they would want to work him out in person. Especially after all the off the field incidents, and personal issues he has surrounding him. Players like Landry Jones and Ryan Mallet have plenty of game film too, and they were invited to and participated in the XFL Showcases.
Bleacher Report Says Manziel Will Be In The XFL
Then around that same time of the XFL Summer Showcase in Texas. Beacher Report came out with different news concerning Johnny Manziel and the XFL. “According to one source, the XFL believes it’s only a matter of time before Manziel joins the league. The XFL and its teams are simply taking their time in evaluating the former Heisman Trophy winner.”
Manziel And The XFL Behind The Scenes
We have no idea what is going on behind the scenes, Manziel could be holding out for more money, the XFL could be going more background research, the coaches all might have said they are not interested. We have no idea until XFL draft day in October.
With so much buzz and fan interest, good and bad, around the name Johnny Manziel you would think it would be a no brainer to have him in the new XFL. The AAF signed him right away after he was let go by the CFL. He would certainly be a ratings and media draw. The XFL however, seems to be not that interested in the Manziel name at this point.
Already with a strong league behind the leadership of Oliver Luck, a fantastic TV deal, great coaches and team presidents. It seems like Johnny Manziel needs the XFL more than the XFL needs Johnny Football.
The XFL is really the last stop for Manziel’s once-promising career. If you were the XFL would you sign him? Leave us a comment.
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19 Comments
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Jerry
July 6, 2019 at 7:07 am
Go Johnny Go
Thomas Ginas
July 6, 2019 at 10:53 am
If not XFL Texas….maybe LA?
Shirley Easter
September 4, 2019 at 3:03 pm
Johnny Manziel runs circles around Ryan Mallet and Landry Jones. If Johnny Manziel isn’t The lead Quarterback for XFL Houston the league will certainly fail. Darryl Johnston and Bob Stoops are definitely Manziel haters
Brent Nichol
July 6, 2019 at 4:14 pm
People are interested. Of course I’d sign him
Rick
December 5, 2019 at 7:38 pm
I would sign him in at nano second. The guy is gifted and I feel like he isready To get serious
Rob
July 6, 2019 at 4:57 pm
One last hurrah for JFF… make it count Johnny!
Terry baxter
July 7, 2019 at 12:02 pm
No. He doesn’t put in the work. He made a huge mistake when he didn’t live up to obligations to the CFL. Had he stayed up there, played well, just did his job…the NFL may have given him another shot. I believe he always intended to breach his contract with the CFL after one year…thinking he would light it up in Canada and then escape back to an open arms welcome to the NFL. Bad choice. The fact that Montreal gave up two starters plus two first round picks for him…then Johnny walks out…says all you need to know about him. The NFL has always respected the CFL…and I’m sure they took notice of not only his mediocre play up there but also how he stiffed the Montreal team by bailing on them after they gave up in his own words ‘half the franchise’..for him. Anyway…he will probably get a shot in the xfl…more because he might sell tickets. I don’t wish him ill luck…I just have no respect for him
Leslie A. Thompson
July 8, 2019 at 12:01 am
Yeah, let’s go Johnny, sign him, and let’s go…. Wreck that league Johnny football ???? … Come on, let’s goooooooooooooooooo….. .
David Donnell
July 8, 2019 at 10:23 pm
Heck ya
Go Johnny Football!!!
Franco
July 9, 2019 at 2:53 pm
Yes!!!
Tim
July 15, 2019 at 10:41 am
The XFL needs a strong start or it will be another failure as in the past. And the AAF just proved that. Just like all other highly drafted quarterbacks that went to the Browns, the Browns were just a ball team set up to fail the greats before they ever got started. If you have time, read all about them in the past 15 years. Give a good quarterback a few seconds of protection and they will be very successful. The problem with the Browns is that they would rather fire quarterbacks than deal with their real weaknesses – OL and coaching! Johnny Manziel is electric on the field, especially with his feet and people love to watch him, yes, even his critics love to watch him. The XFL needs Johnny just as much as he needs them.
Carl Broom
July 18, 2019 at 3:14 am
I think he needs second chance he accomplished a lot very fast at a young age.A lot to have to deal with for a young person.All great players are cocky but they can back it up on field.I played with Ron Springs at Coffeyville before he went to Ohio State he was cocky but he could back it up on field.All the great ones are cocky and confident and superior players.Hes matured now I believe and should play one year in Xfl then Texans or Dallas should sign him.Forget about off field crap he just needs someone to believe in him.Go for it Johnny time to settle down and play some great football again Focus Champ!
Bobby Steward
July 22, 2019 at 9:35 am
Doesn’t he have a criminal record? I believe a criminal records makes one ineligible for the XFL. Its one of the things Vince wants to do to differentiate from the criminal filled ranks of the NFL.
Tim
July 31, 2019 at 4:52 pm
No criminal record, that I’m aware of. The Dallas D.A. dropped a charge that arose from indictment.
Tim
July 31, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Of course, yes I would sign Mr. Manziel, and not as much for reasons of popularity but because he connects well with any team and is a leader. His year-2 stats with the Browns was significantly improved compared to his 1st year. Thus, both his popularity, large fan-base, athleticism, and leadership skills are a win-win for the XFL.
Tim
July 31, 2019 at 4:07 pm
The article included the following peculiar statement from Mr. Luck, “Especially after all the off the field incidents, and personal issues he has surrounding him.” His comment was unnecessary, unsupported, and unsubstantiated. Honestly, I have found nothing wrong or particularly unusual or uncommon with Manziel’s personal life, as repeatedly addressed by the national sports media industry.
Veronica Krath
September 9, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Yes, everyone, fans and critics alike, want to see Johnny back on the field. He is still young and we still have high hopes for him. Please let us see him play!
D T
October 15, 2019 at 5:38 pm
YOU WANT ATTENDANCE IN HOUSTON????
PUT HIM ON THE TEAM!!!!
Joe
February 4, 2020 at 8:44 am
Xfl is nutts Johnny is the answer luck is wrong leader is needed grow up