Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel isn’t giving up in his fight to return to the NFL as a signal caller, and is making a big step in his attempt to do just that on Thursday.
According to FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman, Manziel will throw to receivers at the University of San Diego’s pro day Thursday, which marks the first time Manziel will be throwing in front of NFL personnel since his well-documented release from the Cleveland Browns back in 2016.
Manziel has been in talks to play with the CFL and his name has been brought up for the reboot of the XFL in 2020, but Manziel continues to eye a return to an NFL field.
Back in February, Manziel announced he planned to participate in April’s Spring League scouting showcase, which should increase his odds of an NFL return. If you’re taking bets on his chances, this William Hill promotional code should come in handy.
“Football has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Manziel said at the time, according to Bleacher Report.
“Sometimes you take for granted how much you value something until it’s gone. My goal is to make it back to the NFL and I realize I have to earn that privilege. The Spring League has provided me with a great opportunity to play ball again, and ultimately, that is all I want to do.”
Manziel will join the South team and will play for two games on April 7th and April 14th.
Update: April 14th, 2018:
Manziel has a standing offer from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL and has impressed in his game action, and now faces a crossroads regarding the next steps.
“I’m straight back to working out and doing what I did when I came here,” Manziel said of his future after the Spring League. “Everything else will sort itself out. I’m trying to do what I can do to come back to playing football whatever capacity that is.
“We know when deadlines are. We have another month or so to work out and not worry about anything.”
Manziel thought that his performance “showed [he] can still throw the ball around.”
“I got to do exactly what I want to do and what I’ve been missing for the last two years,” Manziel said.
Now it’s up to an NFL team to decide whether or not they want to roll the dice on Johnny Manziel donning an NFL uniform for their franchise in the near future.