20 most disappointing Cleveland Browns quarterbacks of all-time
By Randy Gurzi
Most disappointing Cleveland Browns quarterbacks: 1. Johnny Manziel (2014-2015)
Something about the 22nd overall pick. Just like they did with Brady Quinn, the Browns traded up for quarterback Johnny Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft after passing on him with their top pick. For Manziel, he came in with a lot of controversies, as there were plenty of rumors about him being way more interested in partying and being a celebrity than playing football.
However, the Browns believed Manziel when he infamously texted their quarterback coach Dowell Loggains that he was going to “wreck the league.” While he never accomplished that goal, he did do everything he could to try and wreck the Browns.
Manziel had more than his share of problems with the team both on and off the field. He was fined for flipping the bird in a preseason game against Washington as a rookie, was accused of domestic abuse following the 2015 season, and then later it was reported that he had shown up to practice drunk before.
He also struggled to stay healthy as he hurt his hamstring during his rookie season and then suffered an elbow injury in 2015. When he was healthy, he showed flashes of the playmaking skills he displayed at Texas A&M but he was never consistent.
In 2014, he threw for 1,500 yards with seven touchdowns and five picks while adding another 230-yards on the ground but the team couldn’t win with him as they were just 2-4 in his starts. He was also called out by his own teammates as players such as Joe Thomas were unimpressed with his selfish antics.
Thomas even said later he believed head coach Mike Pettine only failed with the Browns due to Johnny Football.
Manziel was gone after just two seasons and a whole lot of headaches. He tried to come back as he went through the CFL and AAF but recently realized there was no market for his services. The fact was, he burnt bridges so bad during his short stint in the NFL that he would have had to be near-perfect to get another shot. Otherwise, he just wouldn’t be worth the risk.
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For fans, it was frustrating as the warning signs were there for all to see but the team decided to ignore them as they chased after the Heisman winner hoping to “wreck the league.”