Johnny Manziel’s starting debut in the Canadian Football League (CFL) didn’t go nearly as planned. If anything, it highlighted just how far the former Cleveland Browns quarterback is from a potential return to the NFL.
Manziel was making his first professional start since 2015, playing for the Montreal Alouettes against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who traded the 25-year-old on July 22 after he began his comeback to football with them.
It was a disappointing showing for former Heisman Trophy winner as he struggled with four first-half interceptions before being benched in the 50-11 loss.
His final stat line was 11-for-20 for 104 yards and no touchdowns, and four rushing yards on two attempts.
Manziel’s first interception came on his second play, when tried to fit a throw to a receiver in the middle of the field, only for it to be easily picked off by a linebacker.
His second interception wasn’t his fault and should have been a positive highlight after he scrambled out of pressure and flipped the ball to his running back, who couldn’t haul in the slightly overthrown pass as it bounced off his hands and into a defender’s.
Manziel’s third pick was on an overthrow coming off a bootleg, while his fourth saw him throw off his back foot while being pressured.
The performance is concerning for a player who was a bright talent in college and had moments of brilliance in the NFL, but also came after Manziel had only four practices with the Alouettes’ first team.
Rough debut for Johnny Manziel.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 4, 2018
Manziel's 4 interceptions are the most in a CFL game this season.
How often does something like this happen in the NFL?
Nathan Peterman is the only QB to throw 4 Int in the 1st half over the last 10 seasons.
That's it. pic.twitter.com/oWHs0I8Pc4
Montreal still have 11 regular-season games remaining, so Manziel has plenty of time to string together promising efforts that could entice NFL front offices.
After all, the reason he fell out of the NFL had less to do with his talent and more to do with his off-the-field issues. And in that regard, he seems to have come a long way.
One bad start doesn’t necessarily means it’s time to give up on Manziel just yet.
