A Manziel deal can proceed: Ambrosie
CFL would allow contract between QB and Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are now on the clock.
The CFL announced Thursday it would approve a contract for quarterback Johnny Manziel if one was negotiated with the Tiger-Cats, who have the former Heisman Trophy winner on their negotiation list. The Ticats now have 10 days to make an offer to Manziel to maintain his rights or trade him to another team.
If Manziel doesn’t receive an offer from Hamilton or isn’t dealt by Jan. 7, he’ll become a free agent. But worth noting is Hamilton simply has to make an offer to Manziel and if it’s rejected, he’d remain on the Ticats’ negotiation list for another year.
Similarly, any team acquiring Manziel’s rights from Hamilton would then have a 10-day window to make him an offer. As is the case with the Ticats, if Manziel turned that down, the new club would be able to keep him on its negotiation list for another year.
Erik Burkhardt, Manziel’s agent, didn’t immediately return a telephone message Thursday.
In August, Manziel worked out for the Ticats, who passed on making him an offer. But Manziel’s camp activated Hamilton’s 10-day window, forcing the CFL club to make a decision on whether to sign or trade him.
The CFL then stepped in and extended the window for further evaluation.
The following month, Manziel met with commissioner Randy Ambrosie to discuss a resolution, which included Manziel having to fulfil certain requirements to join the league. Shortly after, the CFL announced the Ticats would hold Manziel’s rights until Nov. 30 before extending it again into January.
“As a result of this process, the commissioner has now informed Mr. Manziel and the Tiger-Cats he is prepared to approve a contract for Mr. Manziel should one be negotiated,” the CFL said.
“Mr. Manziel has been informed he must continue to meet a number of conditions in order to remain eligible. These conditions, while extensive and exacting, remain confidential.”
Teams can have up to 45 players on their negotiation list, giving them exclusive CFL rights to those listed. Players can be added, removed or traded from the list at any time.
Manziel has been on Hamilton’s negotiation list since 2012, during his days at Texas A&M.
The 25-year-old captured the Heisman Trophy in 2012 and was selected in the first round, No. 22 overall, in the 2014 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. But following two tumultuous seasons, the Browns released the Tyler, Texas native in March 2016 after he posted a 2-6 record as their starter.
Manziel has been out of football since.
Hamilton (6-12) finished third in the East Division last year and missed the playoffs. The Ticats were 0-8 under starter Zach Collaros before Kent Austin resigned as head coach and was replaced on an interim basis by June Jones.
Jones’ first move was to promote backup Jeremiah Masoli to starter, and the former Oregon Duck helped Hamilton post a 6-4 record the rest of the way.