Former Browns QB Johnny Manziel’s next endeavor might be a hit for CLE fans

TL;DR

Johnny Manziel, former Browns quarterback, is exploring new opportunities that may resonate with Cleveland fans. The Browns have set records for the most starting quarterbacks in recent seasons.

Key points

Johnny Manziel is a former quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns have set records for starting quarterbacks in recent seasons.
Manziel was a first-round draft pick in 2014 and won the Heisman Trophy.

Mentioned in this story

Johnny Manziel

Heisman TrophyCleveland BrownsNFL

The Cleveland Browns are well-known for having a slew of quarterbacks. Late-night hosts use the Browns as the butt of jokes regarding this aspect. Fans of teams in the AFC North have a heyday with this aspect.

The Browns have even set some recent records. In 2023, they tied the record for the most starting quarterbacks in a single season with five. Then the following season, they started four. That set a new record for the most starting quarterbacks in a two-year timeframe with nine.

One of the most prolific quarterbacks that was on the Browns roster was Johnny Football, aka Johnny Manziel, among the worst picks in team history. He was an exciting signal-caller in college while at Texas A&M, who won the Heisman Trophy. Cleveland GM, Ray Farmer, along with head coach Mike Pettine, selected him at pick #22 in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.

Manziel then proved to be one of the biggest busts. After just two seasons, only eight starts, and one of the most polarizing athletes in the league, Cleveland released him on March 11, 2016.

His agent dropped him as a client, which was his second representation to fire him. Nike stopped their sponsorship. And those are just the low-hanging fruit issues.

Fast forward to 2026. Manziel is now trying to make a living from boxing. (Hence the terrible pun title created by Jared above with the play on “hit”) He will step into the ring in Las Vegas on May 23 at the UFC Apex and is scheduled to have a match with social media influencer Bob Menery.

The promoter of the bout is Brand Risk Promotions, which is well-known for placing celebrities into the ring against each other. Manziel, now 33 years old, was originally scheduled to fight in Miami, but the lineup has now been moved to Las Vegas.

After Cleveland, Manziel played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL, who then traded him to the Montreal Alouettes, and then he was subsequently thrown out of the league. He signed with the Memphis Express of the AAF before it shut down in its first year. Then he surfaced in the Fan Controlled Football League and played for the Zappers for two seasons, where he was listed as a player/coach.

Q&A

What records have the Cleveland Browns set regarding quarterbacks?

The Browns tied the record for the most starting quarterbacks in a single season with five in 2023 and set a new record with nine starting quarterbacks over two seasons.

Who is Johnny Manziel and why is he significant to the Browns?

Johnny Manziel, known as 'Johnny Football,' was a first-round pick by the Browns in the 2014 NFL draft and is considered one of the team's most notable yet controversial quarterbacks.

What was Johnny Manziel's college football achievement?

Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy while playing college football at Texas A&M, showcasing his talent before joining the NFL.