The Cleveland Browns may consider the trade or release of Johnny Manziel this offseason after the quarterback found himself in the middle of another off-the-field incident.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Manziel was questioned by police following an "altercation" with his girlfriend in Texas last week. Manziel was not arrested and the police are reportedly "actively working" on the investigation into the incident. Manziel previously was investigated for a domestic incident earlier in the season and the report says that the league is now looking into the latest allegations.
Manziel had an up and down season on the field and off of it in 2015 for the Browns and all of that could lead to the team moving on from the quarterback. The Browns have hired Hue Jackson to take over as head coach and a report from ESPN had Jackson taking the job only if the team planned on moving on from Manziel. While that report has not been fully confirmed by Jackson, the coach has made some comments that hint at what the team plans to do at the position.
Jackson said last month that he thinks the team needs a quarterback and Cleveland.com reports that the team met with Carson Wentz at the Senior Bowl last week and came away impressed. Manziel had the chance to start last season and showed some improvement from his rookie year, but his issues off the field may keep him from being successful in Cleveland. There have been multiple reports this offseason that Manziel wants to end up with the Cowboys and that Jerry Jones is interested in bringing him to Dallas.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said last week that the team relationship with Manziel can be "fixed," but those comments came before the news about the latest incident with Manziel. Last season Manziel played in nine games for the Browns and had seven touchdowns and five interceptions while passing for 1500 yards. Even if Manziel does remain with the team, it is very likely that the Browns end up taking a quarterback in the draft this year.
The Browns have the number two overall pick in the draft this year and some scouts and mock drafts have the team taking Jared Goff with the selection. Goff put up big numbers at Cal last season and is considered to be one of the best prospects at quarterback in the draft class. Carson Wentz is also generating a lot of buzz and his performance at the Senior Bowl has some scouts predicting that he will be a top five pick.
The Browns have some major decisions to make this offseason and it could lead to Manziel getting shipped out of Cleveland.