Johnny Manziel ceased being an active participant in the NFL during the 2018 offseason, after repeated suspensions for conduct issues and no team signing him following his initial stint on non-football illness leave. His last official opportunity to play in the league ended when the Cleveland Browns converted his non-football illness leave to a release in July 2018, and he was not claimed by another club. This status change concluded a turbulent professional arc that included two mostly inactive, injury-limited seasons after a promising start.
From Heisman to inactive: key status milestones
Draft, debut, and early setbacks
Selected by the Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Manziel entered the league amid high expectations. Limited by injuries and a league suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy late in his rookie season, he appeared in only a handful of games in 2014 and 2015. After missing most of 2015, he returned as a free agent in 2016 but was sidelined again later that year, ultimately landing on non-football illness leave.
Non-football illness leave and releases
In 2017, the Browns placed Manziel on non-football illness leave, a mechanism allowing teams to temporarily remove players for personal-health reasons without counting against the roster. After several extensions and an unsuccessful attempt to join the Indianapolis Colts via exempt list in 2017, the Browns converted his leave to a release in July 2018, ending his tenure with the team. After clearing waivers, he went unclaimed, effectively closing the door on an active NFL career at that time.
Attempts to return and league reactions
Throughout 2017 and into 2018, Manziel sought to rejoin the NFL through tryouts, practice-squad bids, and meetings with teams. The league, however, maintained strict standards on discipline and readiness, and no franchise offered him a contract after his release. By mid-2018, reports indicated he was exploring alternative football opportunities outside the NFL, including leagues with different structures and rules.
Documented timeline of status changes
The table below summarizes key dates and decisions affecting his active status in the NFL, drawing on team announcements and league records.
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| May 2014 | Drafted by Cleveland Browns | Marked entry to the league amid high expectations |
| Nov 2015 | Placed on season-ending injured reserve | Limited immediate on-field impact |
| Apr 2016 | Returned via waivers; signed one-year tender | Brief reentry to team before further suspension |
| Jul 2016 | Suspended 10 games for violating personal-conduct policy | Reduced playing time and raised doubts about reliability |
| Apr 2017 | Placed on non-football illness leave by BrownsShift from football-related injury to personal-health management | |
| Jul 2017 | Browns extended non-football illness leave | Delayed return while maintaining roster spot |
| May 2018 | Browns sought to convert leave to injured reserve; blocked | Teams must use non-football illness leave, not injured reserve, for such cases |
| Jul 2018 | Browns converted leave to release; cleared waivers | End of his active NFL tenure; no club claimed him |
Why he hasn’t returned to the NFL
Since his release, Manziel has remained inactive at the professional level. The combination of past conduct violations, failed attempts to secure a roster spot, and reported interest in alternative football formats has kept him out of league rosters. While he has on rare occasions indicated a desire to play again, the NFL has not signaled any pathway for his reinstatement under current policies.
Broader context: impact and options
Manziel’s situation illustrates how on-field talent alone is not enough to sustain an NFL career when behavioral issues and availability concerns persist. His attempts to return have involved tryouts with multiple teams, meetings with front offices, and exploring other football opportunities, yet no club has accepted the associated risks. Going forward, his options are likely to focus on non-NFL professional leagues, media roles, or transitioning away from professional play altogether.