Manziel could go from sinner to Saint

Johnny Manziel’s return to the NFL could happen sooner han later.

The former Browns quarterback has piqued the interest of Saints head coach Sean Payton, according to NFL Network. Payton has been impressed with the low profile Manziel supposedly has kept in recent months and had lunch with him in Texas during Super Bowl week.

Manziel, 24, has managed to stay out of trouble while documenting his training regimen and his marriage proposal in Paris on social media this month. The NFL Network report suggests Payton pictures Manziel filling the backup/pupil role behind starting quarterback Drew Brees.

Journeyman Luke McCown and Colorado State product Garrett Grayson are behind Brees on the Saints’ depth chart.

Manziel continues to hope for a second chance in the league after blowing his first one in disturbing fashion.

“No lie … I was a douche in 2016 and I’m just trying to be a good PERSON,” Manziel tweeted in January, also acknowledging his troubles with substance abuse. “Haven’t been this happy in a long time man. I appreciate all the people in my life who reached out during the truly rough patches in ’16.”

Manziel was cut by Cleveland last March after two seasons with the club. He was later indicted on domestic violence charges after allegedly assaulting ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley. The charges will be dismissed should Manziel complete an anger management course, in addition to a substance abuse program.

“Everything has been going extremely smoothly and my life is trending upward,” Manziel said in court in January, per the Dallas Morning News. “I just want to play football.”

Manziel was not on an NFL roster in 2016. Should Payton take a chance on the Heisman Trophy winner, Manziel could be subject to a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.