QB Johnny Manziel traded to CFL's Alouettes
Former Browns quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel dealt from Hamilton to Montreal of the CFL.
After not appearing in five games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, quarterback Johnny Manziel changed CFL teams Sunday night when he was acquired by the Montreal Alouettes in a multi-player trade.
The deal reunites Manziel with Montreal head coach Mike Sherman, who recruited him to Texas A&M in 2011. He redshirted in 2011 and won the Heisman the following season under then first-year coach Kevin Sumlin.
"We have acquired an exceptional quarterback with undeniable talent," Montreal general manager Kavis Reed said in a statement. "With his great mobility, his athletic abilities and his instinct, we believe that he will have a positive impact on our offense."
Manziel's only appearances for Hamilton were in two preseason games. In those games, he completed 21 of 31 passes with one touchdown while rushing six times for 19 yards.
In Hamilton, Manziel was stuck behind incumbent quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who tied a league record with nine straight 300-yard passing games.
It is possible Manziel gets playing time for Montreal, which lost starting quarterback Drew Willy to a hand injury during Saturday's loss to the Calgary Stampeders. The Alouettes also are without quarterback Jeff Matthews for four to six weeks due to a foot injury.
Montreal's offense is among the worst in the CFL. The Alouettes rank last in points scored and rushing yards. They also rank seventh out of nine teams in passing yards and at 1-4 they are in last place in the East Division.
"This is a move both Kavis Reed and I felt we needed to make at this time," Sherman, told the Montreal Gazette. "Neither one of us believes in the status quo and felt we needed to shake things up. Johnny is someone we believe can elevate one of the most important positions on our team.
"I look forward to reuniting with Johnny again and working with him."
Manziel inked a two-year deal with Hamilton in May, two years after getting released by the Cleveland Browns after two turbulent seasons. Before joining the CFL, he actively pursued another NFL contract.
The former first-round pick has dealt with numerous off-field problems. He had domestic assault charges against him dismissed in 2016 after he agreed to anger management courses and participated in the NFL's substance abuse program.
Recent Stories
Rams hard at work despite earning bye
The Los Angeles Rams will continue to stay hard at work despite earning a bye through the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
Players will continue to visit the ...
Packers' lost season includes losing Rodgers to concussion
Green Bay's 6-9-1 season ended with Aaron Rodgers getting knocked out of Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Detroit Lions with a concussion. That was dubious and fitting ...
49ers will retain defensive coordinator Saleh
The San Francisco 49ers gave up a lot of points and did not force many turnovers, but Robert Saleh will return for his third season as the 49ers' defensive coordinator, ...
GM Licht says Winston is Bucs' quarterback
Dirk Koetter was fired as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach on Sunday, but his quarterback will be staying.
General manager Jason Licht, who will lead the search ...
Chargers get another chance against Ravens
The Los Angeles Chargers didn't have to wait long for a chance to avenge their Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Los Angeles was shut down by Baltimore's stout ...
Latest Player Notes
How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ...
Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ...
How can UW recruit its best class ever? It starts with these five prospects
By Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
Jedd Fisch has lofty recruiting goals at Washington. He didn’t waste any ...
Texas football kicks off spring practice Tuesday. We answer 24 questions for the 2024 team
Things certainly look fresh for the 2024 college football season, especially on the Texas campus.There’s a new conference ...
College Football Playoff: Conferences solve their differences (for now) and agree on general framework for 2026 and beyond
The FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed on Friday to continue the College Football Playoff beyond the 2025 season, signing ...
Ball security, leadership key as Aztecs look to identify starting quarterback
San Diego State seemingly auditions a new starting quarterback on an annual basis.In the past 12 years, the Aztecs have opened ...
Results and more: A look at what happened at Penn State football’s Pro Day inside Holuba Hall
Most of those at Penn State’s Pro Day Friday were relatively quiet throughout the afternoon’s workouts, but there was one ...
Defense dominates first two weeks of Oregon State spring practice as Beavers ready for 2-week breather
CORVALLIS – Oregon State hit the break of spring practices Saturday, not exactly the midpoint but a good place to assess ...
Dillon Gabriel to have similar input, autonomy as Bo Nix had in Oregon’s offense
Published Mar. 16, 2024, 6:26 p.m.By James CrepeaEUGENE — Dillon Gabriel will have much of the same autonomy as Bo Nix did ...
Two transfers, one underclassman who impressed in Missouri football's spring game
With that, spring camp’s a wrap.Missouri football held its Black & Gold spring game Saturday in front of a healthy crowd ...