After almost three full months in a rehab facility, Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has been released after receiving treatment. He entered into a drug and alcohol treatment facility back on January 28, and he’s expected to rejoin the Browns for their offseason training program beginning on April 20. The question now is if he’s going to be with the team for the 2015 season.
Report: Johnny Football is out of rehab http://t.co/b5W5y97BOE
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) April 11, 2015
ESPN first reported on Saturday morning that Manziel was out of the rehab facility after checking in with an effort to “be a better family member, friend and teammate.” It has never been made exactly clear what his treatment in the rehab was, but the facility does specialize in drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Browns head coach Mike Pettine says that football takes a “back seat” to Manziel’s health, and that has been the focus these past few months. Now, he will head to the Browns and attempt to win back a lot of trust, per USA Today .
“When [Manziel] is back, it will be full speed ahead for him,” Pettine said. “I think he’s very anxious at this point. We’ll be prepared as we will with every other player. When they get back to town, we’re going to coach the heck out of them.”
Johnny Manziel will also be heading into camp to compete with Josh McCown for the starting quarterback job, but some wonder if he’ll even get the chance. There have been a number of rumors flying around that a trade could have him on the way out.
While nothing more than rumors at this time, there has been talk of the Browns trying to trade up and draft former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Cleveland.com reported that it almost seems like a given that they will make a run at Mariota or even Sam Bradford.
With McCown and Connor Shaw in camp, the issues that Manziel has brought about in just one year may be enough to part ways with him. Trading up for Marcus Mariota would have the Browns getting a very talented quarterback without so much drama.
Either way, Johnny Manziel is out of rehab and ready to rejoin his team, as he’s still currently a member of the Cleveland Browns. Whether or not he remains a member of the Browns is something that will be decided later on, but the NFL Draft is only a few weeks away and talk may soon heat up.
[Image via Getty/ChatSports]