Heisman Trophy winner Manziel signs for Hamilton
HAMILTON, Ont. — Johnny Manziel signed a two-year deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday, the day before the start of Hamilton’s training camp. The former Heisman Trophy winner made the announcement on Twitter following an offseason in which he actively pursued an NFL contract.
“I don’t want to wait around anymore,” Manziel said during a news conference at Tim Hortons Field. “I want a chance to get on the field and get into the locker room, and to play ball again.
“This isn’t just a pit stop for me. I’m not coming here to get what I need to go back down to the NFL. I’ve signed into this for the long haul, for two years. I’m here to make the most of it.”
Manziel, 25, starred at Texas A&M, capturing the 2012 Heisman Trophy as U.S. college football’s top player. The Tyler, Texas native was selected in the first round, No. 22 overall, in the 2014 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, but was released in March 2016 after posting a 2-6 record over two tumultuous campaigns.
This offseason, Manziel threw at both Texas A&M and University of San Diego pro days and participated in the Spring League, a development circuit for players overlooked by the NFL.
Manziel was honest this offseason that his primary goal was to sign an NFL contract and he’d go to the CFL if that opportunity didn’t materialize. On Saturday, Manziel said he’s not looking that far down the road.
“I don’t know what two years down the road looks like for me,” Manziel said. “Maybe I come up here and I love it and I don’t want to go anywhere.
“We’ll play it by ear and take it day by day, like I’ve been doing.”
The Ticats didn’t divulge details of Manziel’s contract but it reportedly includes a $122,000 base salary with a $10,000 signing bonus and $18,000 housing stipend. Manziel is also said to receive $10,000 bonuses for being active six, 10 and 14 games as well as a $120,000 bonus if he plays in half of the club’s snaps.
There’s also reportedly a $75,000 off-season bonus due March 1. Manziel’s 2018 base salary would increase to $202,000 with the same incentives.
Hamilton finished third in the East Division last year and missed the CFL playoffs. The Ticats were 0-8 with quarterback Zach Collaros before Kent Austin quit as head coach and was replaced on an interim basis by June Jones.
One of Jones’s first moves was naming Jeremiah Masoli his starter. Masoli rewarded Jones’s faith by leading Hamilton to a 6-4 record. Masoli signed a two-year extension with Hamilton in January reportedly worth over $700,000 and included a $125,000 signing bonus. Jones reiterated Saturday that Masoli remains the Ticats’ starter.
“He [Manziel] has the ability to play at any level he wants to play at,” Jones said. “He’s ready to get that challenge done and accomplish what he knows he can do.”