Johnny Manziel is arguably one of the biggest busts in NFL history, especially when you consider just how good he was as a college star for Texas A&M. As a result of both his level of play and his off field issues, Manziel hasn't played professional football since 2015, but don't count "Johnny Football" out just yet — per reports.
Recently, Jon Machota of the Morning News reported that Manziel was mulling over a comeback. In fact, he got the former Heisman Trophy winner talking about his desire to get back into the NFL.
"I think they are taking it slow, and so am I," Manziel said while attending the National Fantasy Football Convention at Fair Park. "I know the situation that I put myself in. I know the year I took off and obviously the mistakes that I made. Right now, I'm hopeful. I'm really hopeful.
"I think that I made some progress in that regard. But we'll see. Whenever I get a call, I'll do whatever I can to make the most of it."
That's big news from a celebrity gossip standpoint but are teams really interested in the NFL drop out? He was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers and he did show some potential, but he's made mistake after mistake off the field, and on the field wasn't much better. Manziel played in five games in 2014, throwing for no touchdowns and two interceptions. Cleveland trusted him to start six games in 2015 and he played in 10 overall. He did throw for 1,500 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing 37 times for 230 yards. With that said, he also threw five interceptions and fumbled the ball away six times.
Manziel was a bust, no doubt about it. And while he may not be getting serious looks from NFL teams, Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report is relaying that there is still some kind of interest in the former college star:
"Two different team officials, one in each conference, told me Manziel's representatives were the ones contacting some teams, not the other way around. There remains little interest in Manziel across the league.
However, some personnel men remain fascinated with Manziel. They see that college tape and fall into the eternal trap of thinking they can fix him, and that's what I've been told is going on in some front offices right now.
Though Manziel remains radioactive around much of the league, I've also been told it would not be stunning for a team to bring him in for a training camp look.
There may be a wide gap between a handful of teams talking about it and teams willing to do it, but wilder things have occurred in this league."
Manziel's raw talent is undoubtedly something that would interest even the most cynical of scouts. How much of that talent has he partied away, though? Another important thing to consider is his playing shape after taking a year off to do who knows what.
Ultimately, it will likely come down to whether or not Manziel can convince NFL teams that he's committed to living on the straight and narrow.
Unfortunately for him, though, even if he can do that (and that's a big if), he may not be worth looking at for a team that's serious about finding a quarterback who can compete during the season and not just be a big headline during training camp.
Manziel may be good for HBO, but is he a good locker room addition? Likey not.