NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

One NFL player you wish never played for your favorite team

By Randy Gurzi

22 Aug 1998: Quarterback Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers standing around talking before the pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers defeated the Colts 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squ
22 Aug 1998: Quarterback Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers standing around talking before the pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers defeated the Colts 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squ /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 32
Next
2022 NFL
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96), right, sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) in the fourth quarter during the Week 9 NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. /

Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB

Taking the temperature of the fan base after the 2021 season might reveal a different result for the Cleveland Browns. They watched Odell Beckham, Jr. win a ring in Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams and it led to a lot of frustration among the fan base as they were upset that he got his way after forcing his way out of town.

While that anger is strong now, OBJ is still not close to being as bad for this team as Johnny Manziel was. Back in 2014, the Browns elected to make a splash in the NFL Draft as they took Johnny Football at No. 22 overall.

Manziel then walked to the stage flashing his signature “money” sign and fans ate it up. They were ready to see what the former Texas A&M star could do in the NFL. It wasn’t long, however, before they were ready to see him leave.

In just two seasons, Manziel was a major wrecking ball. He was accused of showing up to practices drunk and ended up playing in just 14 games with eight starts. And he was only 2-6 in those starts.

He drew the ire of everyone on the team including future Hall of Fame left tackle Joe Thomas and was released after the 2015 season. He still shows up on social media to bash the city and the team, clearly not letting the fact that no one else in the country wanted to touch him tarnish his own inflated sense of self-worth (he had to go to Canada for another shot before they had enough of him and he tried to make it in the now-defunct AAF).

Johnny Football ended up being Johnny Wasted Pick, and the Browns surely wish he was never a part of their team.

Home/NFL