Johnny Football cleared to sign with Ticats
League will approve contract for controversial quarterback should sides reach agreement
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 Hamilton TigerCats, who have the former Heisman Trophy winner on their negotiation list. The Ticats now have 10 days to make an offer to Manziel in order 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, 2018, 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. And, 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 return a telephone message immediately 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 afterward, the CFL announced the Ticats would hold Manziel’s rights until Nov. 30, before extending the process again into January to continue with its due diligence.
“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 in its statement. “The process that led to this decision does, however, continue.
“Mr. Manziel has been informed he must continue to meet a number of conditions in order to remain eligible. These conditions, while exten- sive 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 pretty much since his days at Texas A&M.
The 25-year-old quarterback captured the Heisman Trophy in 2012 and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round, No. 22 overall, of the 2014 NFL draft. 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.
“We appreciate the CFL office and commissioner Randy Ambrosie’s due diligence in this matter,” the Ticats said in a statement. “We also recognize Johnny Manziel for thus far demonstrating the attributes necessary to continue his career in our great league.
“We will have no further comment at this time.”
Earlier this month, after signing a three-year contract to remain as Hamilton’s head coach, June Jones boldly gushed about Manziel’s potential.
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 Jones.
If the Ticats are looking to deal Manziel’s rights, they could have a willing trade partner in the Montreal Alouettes. The Als posted a leagueworst 3-15 record this year with veteran quarterback Darian Durant throwing more interceptions (16) than touchdown passes (15).
The Alouettes reportedly had an interest in Manziel earlier this season, and it was Montreal head coach Mike Sherman who convinced Manziel to play at Texas A&M after he’d verbally committed to Oregon coming out of high school.