March 22, 2018 - San Diego, CA, USA - Former NFL American Football Herren USA quarterback Johnny Manziel threw at University of San Diego s pro day on March 22, 2018. Johnny Manziel - ZUMAs44_ 82445928st Copyright: xK.C.xAlfredx

Jul 13, 2026, 12:00 PM CUT

Johnny Manziel once revealed where he'd land if not for the Browns

In 2014, the Cleveland Browns drafted former quarterback Johnny Manziel 22nd overall for a short, controversial career. However, he was not always destined to play with them. Manziel revealed that the Kansas City Chiefs were interested in him.

“Going into the draft, we felt like our floor was 23,” Manziel said in 2025, “I think Andy Reid really liked me, and that’s where I would’ve gone had the Browns not traded up one spot ahead.”

Manziel appeared on The Rich Eisen Show on August 15, 2025, for a candid interview about his football career. In a now-trending clip, he shared that Andy Reid, the KCC’s head coach and three-time Super Bowl ring-bearer, had eyes on him.

CFL 2018: Alouettes vs Redblacks AUG 31 August 31, 2018: Montreal Alouettes quarterback Johnny Manziel 2 warms up prior to the CFL game between Montreal Alouettes and Ottawa Redblacks at TD Place Stadium, in Ottawa, Canada. Daniel Lea/CSM. Ottawa Ontario Canada EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20180831_zaf_c04_055.jpg DanielxLeax csmphototwo423084

In the interview, he looked back at his career and spoke at length about it. He addressed the beginning of a promising career and the following downfall.

The former Texas Aggies would’ve worn the Chiefs’ bright red and gold, but the Browns made some shuffles in the 2014 draft. They pulled off three trades in the first round and picked Manziel.

The franchise gave up the No. 26 overall selection and a third-round pick at No. 83 for Philadelphia’s No.22 slot. According to NFL.com, senior NFL analyst and film producer Greg Cosell had called Manziel an “obvious playmaker.”

The Browns believed they'd found their franchise QB, but they were catastrophically wrong. The franchise signed him for four years with a rookie contract worth $8.24 million and a fifth-year option.

Manziel, who rose to fame as “Johnny Football” with his explosive plays in college football, was embroiled in off-field controversies.

In 2012, at 19, he was arrested for reportedly holding a fake ID. A year later, the NCAA suspended him for signing autographs for money. His concerning off-field behavior did not stop there.

Manziel made headlines for poor on-field performance. His stint with the Browns and the NFL ended in 2016 after his former girlfriend alleged he was violent.

Manziel’s NFL career stats are: 1,675 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He dabbled in sports once again, but traded cleats for an MMA cage.

Johnny Manziel made a stunning MMA debut, said it was a one-time thing

Over a decade later, Johnny Menzeil gave sports another chance. This time, it was mixed martial arts, and he made a victorious debut in May, 2026.

He dominated his opponent, Bob Menery, a social media influencer. Despite his victory, the former quarterback stated that he would not fight again.

“This was good enough for one time,” Manziel said, per ESPN on May 24.

Manziel previously played in the Canadian Football League. An anthology titled “Untold” featuring “Johnny Football” premiered on Netflix in 2023.

His career remains a case study. From a meteoric rise to a disappointing end, Manziel remains a prominent figure in NFL history with a ‘what if’ tag on him. What do you think of his draft? Tell us in the comments.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar