Johnny Manziel rumors: Saints show interest in quarterback

Johnny Manziel is back to searching for real work in the NFL, and it seems to New Orleans Saints might be willing to take a chance.

Drew Brees has one year left on his deal. Free agent quarterback Chase Daniel has visited the New Orleans Saints, and Luke McCown and Garrett Grayson are waiting in the wings. But what about a wild card addition of the likes of Johnny Manziel.

Sean Payton is known for his offensive prowess and perhaps a smaller market city like New Orleans could be a good place for Manziel to re-enter the NFL, especially learning from Brees for a year. Brees has been one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks of a generation, a gunslinger who Manziel could definitely attempt to model his game after.

Manziel, a former first round pick of the Cleveland Browns, struggled from the outset in the NFL. The spotlight was overwhelming. Fights broke out. Parties were attended. The on-field results weren’t even remotely good enough to offset the off-field distractions Manziel brought with him to Cleveland. His career record of 2-6 shows not only how bad he was but how short of a leash he had on a team with no other real options and every reason to give him a full season and then some to make good on their investment.

With the Saints, there would be zero pressure for him to start given Brees’ presence on the roster. The talent was there to entice the Browns to invest so much, and he’s still young enough to warrant a look. There’s a reason Payton was mentioned with respect to him. It’s the same angle that analysts take when they mention Kansas City for the same reasons, a well-respected head coach, like K.C. has in Andy Reid, and a positive locker room, also like the Chiefs, provide the ideal re-starting point for a player.

It will be interesting to follow Manziel’s return to the NFL and whether there’s any real opportunity ahead of him outside of going to the CFL.