Cleveland Browns Rumors: Johnny Manziel’s Offseason Turnaround Could Have Him Headed For Starting Job

The Cleveland Browns were once rumored to be parting ways with Johnny Manziel, but the once-troubled quarterback is reportedly making a turnaround that could have him headed for the team’s starting role.

Manziel came to the team as a highly touted first-round draft pick determined to prove that his Heisman Trophy winning style could cut it in the NFL despite his lack of size. But Manziel fizzled during the year, failing to impress on the field and reportedly creating a rift with coaches due to his preference for partying over preparation.

It got to the point that rumors claimed the Cleveland Browns were ready to part ways with Johnny Manziel after just one season, but now a stint in rehab and a new dedication to the team appear to be shifting the tide.

Coaches and management have been singing Manziel’s praises on the field, and a change in lifestyle is reportedly helping him stay on track.

As ESPN reported, Manziel has moved to a quieter neighborhood that has helped keep his focus on the game.

“Manziel recently moved from a downtown Cleveland condo to a golf community in a suburb on Cleveland’s far west side. Kruger said he’s not neighbors with Manziel, but does live close by. [Neighbor Paul Kruger] described the mood in the neighborhood as similar to the mood at Barrington Golf Club as he awaited the tournament’s start.”

The change is noticeable for the Cleveland Browns management.

“I feel good that he is a young man that’s doing the best he can with the circumstances he has,” general manager Ray Farmer said. “He wants to give himself the best opportunity. Whatever he thinks those adjustments need to be, those are things that he’s going to do.”

There is still a long way to go before any game action, but Manziel’s turnaround comes as a good sign to the Browns, who had already invested a first-round pick on a failed quarterback in Brandon Weeden and were reportedly reluctant to give up on Manziel so soon.

While Johnny Manziel is back on the right track, rumors indicate that the Cleveland Browns are not ready to hand him the starting job just yet. The team is reportedly making him earn the job, which means an open competition with free agent pickup Josh McCown.

[Image via Getty Images/Tom Szczerbowski]