A Manziel deal can proceed, CFL says

TORONTO 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.

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, Tex. native in March, 2016, after he posted a 2-6 record as their starter.