Johnny Manziel

Quarterback Johnny Manziel appeared on the Dan Patrick Show Monday and said he could see himself getting into coaching someday if his playing career comes to a close.

"I could see myself being in a coaching setting," he said, per Andrew Perloff of the Dan Patrick Show. "I see anything, whether it's on the media side or coaching side... if getting back to the NFL doesn't work out."

It's unlikely Manziel will get a second act in the NFL as a player, however. The 26-year-old quarterback threw for just 1,290 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions during his brief CFL career that lasted all of eight games.

In March, he was released by the Montreal Alouettes for violating the terms of his contract and was banned by the CFL. The league did not release the details of the situation.  

Manziel also struggled in his brief NFL career, throwing for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in 15 games (eight starts) for the Cleveland Browns during the 2014-15 seasons. He completed just 57 percent of his passes, though he did rush for 259 yards and a score.

He was eventually released by the team after a string of off-field incidents. 

While Manziel was one of college football's most exciting players during his time with Texas A&M, he's never replicated that magical, gunslinger style with success at the professional level. If Manziel returns to the NFL in some capacity, it seems more likely at this point that coaching or a media gig would be his path back to the league.

With the future of the Alliance of American Football in doubt, Johnny Manziel offered some financial advice to his fellow players.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio and Action Network's Darren Rovell reported Tuesday the AAF is suspending operations and could fold altogether.

Manziel noted the tough position that players are in as a result:

If you’re an AAF player and the league does dissolve. The last check you got will be the last one that you get. No lawsuit or anything else will get you your bread. Save your money and keep your head up. It’s the only choice at this point unless something drastic happens.

— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) April 2, 2019

Just the reality of this unfortunate situation.. great concept, good football on the field and fun for fans to watch. Just not enough money to go around which has been the main problem with “other” leagues for a long time.

— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) April 2, 2019

Manziel signed with the AAF in March and joined the Memphis Express. He's 5-of-8 passing for 61 yards with an interception while backing up Brandon Silvers. He has also run for 38 yards on five carries.

Now, Manziel's AAF career, along with that of many others, may be over. The league, which comprises eight teams, announced last October that 515 players had signed contracts. Polian said last July that players would receive three-year non-guaranteed deals worth $250,000.

According to Rovell, AAF co-founders Charlie Ebersol and Bill Polian were at odds with Tom Dundon, one of the league's primary financial backers. Whereas Ebersol and Polian wanted the AAF to grow more slowly before forging a partnership with the NFL, Dundon wanted to expedite that process.

Dundon told USA Today's Kevin Allen and Mike Jones last week the AAF's inability to work together with the NFL Players Association was threatening the league's existence.

Rovell reported Dundon obtained unilateral control of the AAF board when he invested in the league, so he alone could potentially decide whether the AAF continues or ceases to exist.

The AAF is supposed to enter into Week 9 of the 10-week regular season starting Saturday, with the playoffs set to kick off April 21 and the championship slated for April 27.

Eight weeks into its inaugural season, the Alliance of American Football has likely played its final game. 

The AAF sent an email to employees on Tuesday outlining the decision, which states the league's operations will be suspended immediately, via NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala‏: 

"Over the last year, we have been able to realize some amazing accomplishments. We launched a football league, a ground breaking sports technology and APP, and established production and broadcast arrangements to air our content on major networks. Together we created some incredible moments for football and our fans. We are very proud of what we accomplished and appreciate the contributions each of you made during that process. 

"Unfortunately, after careful consideration, the board has decided to suspend operations of the Alliance of American Football, effective immediately. As part of this process, we expect to keep a small staff on hand to seek new investment capital and restructure our business. Should those efforts prove successful, we look forward to working with many of you on season two. As a follow up to this communication, we will reach out to the personnel who will be involved in that continuation effort.

"For those employees whom we do not contact individually to discuss an ongoing role or alternative arrangements, your employment termination date is effective Wednesday, April 3, 2019, and you will be paid through this date. We are extraordinarily appreciative for all of your efforts. ... Thank you again for your service."

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and Darren Rovell of The Action Network first reported the news. Rovell noted that AAF owner Tom Dundon stands to lose $70 million and made the decision to suspend operations "against wishes of league co-founders Charlie Ebersol and Bill Polian."

Polian issued a statement about Dundon's decision, via ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein:

"I am extremely disappointed to learn Tom Dundon has decided to suspend all football operations of the Alliance of American Football. When Mr. Dundon took over, it was the belief of my co-founder, Charlie Ebersol, and myself that we would finish the season, pay our creditors, and make the necessary adjustments to move forward in a manner that made economic sense for all.

"The momentum generated by our players, coaches and football staff had us well positioned for future success. Regrettably, we will not have that opportunity."

The AAF has been in financial trouble basically since the season started on Feb. 9. 

David Glenn of The Athletic reported on Feb. 18 that Dundon, who owns the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, was named the AAF's new chairman after making a $250 million investment to help the league get its finances in order. 

Dundon told reporters last week the NFL Players Association could help the league by allowing its players, notably those on practice squads, to play in the AAF. 

"If the players union is not going to give us young players, we can't be a development league," Dundon said. "We are looking at our options, one of which is discontinuing the league."

The NFLPA declined the request for multiple reasons. Chief among them were that using active players in AAF games could violate CBA rules that restrict mandatory workouts during the offseason and the possibility that injuries suffered in the AAF would stunt accrued service time in the NFL, which has financial implications. 

The inaugural AAF campaign was scheduled for a 10-week regular season with a two-week postseason culminating in a championship game on April 27. 

The home stretch of the Alliance of American Football's inaugural season has arrived with Saturday featuring half of the Week 8 schedule. 

With just two weeks remaining after Week 8, there is still jockeying for playoff position in the Eastern and Western Conferences.

The Orlando Apollos have already clinched one of the two postseason spots in the east. They entered Week 8 owning the AAF's best record (6-1), one game ahead of the San Antonio Commanders. 

While the Apollos have taken care of business for themselves, they can still make an impact on the playoff race Saturday. The Birmingham Irons will clinch the second postseason spot in the east if Orlando wins and they beat the Atlanta Legends on Sunday. 

      

AAF Week 8 Scores

Orlando def. Memphis, 34-31

Salt Lake def. San Diego, 8-3

       

Salt Lake 8, San Diego 3

Things have gotten interesting in the Western Conference thanks to Salt Lake's 8-3 win over San Diego in a defensive battle.

San Diego drove down the field with a chance to win after getting the ball back on its own three-yard line with two minutes remaining. Quarterback Mike Bercovici experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows on consecutive  plays during that drive. 

Bercovici completed a 23-yard pass to Marcus Baugh on fourth-and-12 to get the ball into Salt Lake territory. His next pass was underthrown and picked off by Steve Williams to secure a victory for the Stallions. 

Big time stop by the Stallions with 30 seconds left! #SDvsSL pic.twitter.com/9OGatr0TPb

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 31, 2019

Salt Lake's lone touchdown of the day was almost a turnover when quarterback Josh Woodrum dropped the snap. He was able to pick the ball up and hand it to Terron Ward for the score late in the first half:

An interesting way to get 6 points, @aafstallions take the lead! #SDvsSL

Watch live: https://t.co/xoJ2fiq0hy pic.twitter.com/8V1ZDeWBjw

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 31, 2019

Neither team moved the ball well in this game with four turnovers combined. San Diego had a 264-244 edge in total yards, but Salt Lake controlled the clock with 37:57 minutes of possession. 

The win moves Salt Lake into a tie with San Diego at 3-5 with two games remaining. Arizona owns the second playoff spot in the west with a 4-3 record leading up to Sunday's game against conference-leading San Antonio. 

Looking ahead to next week, the Stallions figure to have an advantage against the 2-5 Atlanta Legends. Arizona has a matchup with Birmingham, while San Diego has to go against Orlando. 

Orlando 34, Memphis 31

Orlando held on for dear life in a 34-31 win over Memphis at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. 

Memphis started the game on a bad note when Johnny Manziel left in the first quarter after taking a blow to the head. The former Heisman Trophy winner was trying to tackle Orlando safety Will Hill following an interception. 

Johnny Manziel now listed out for the game. pic.twitter.com/MK1TyrgKhO

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 30, 2019

With Brandon Silvers taking over at quarterback and their season potentially on the line, the Express stormed back from a 22-9 deficit in the third quarter by scoring 22 straight points. 

Memphis' defense came up huge on back-to-back possessions with a stop on fourth down and a strip-sack by DeMarquis Gates that Jonathan Cook recovered and returned for a score.

Express defense with BIG 4th down stop ‼️

We've got a good one on TNT 📺#ORLvsMEM pic.twitter.com/KGYiY2Y6pF

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 30, 2019

STRIP✅
SCOOP✅
SCORE✅@aafexpress | #ORLvsMEM pic.twitter.com/JQGu2go01J

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 30, 2019

Orlando finally got back on track in the fourth quarter when Garrett Gilbert found Charles Johnson in the end zone to cut the deficit to 31-28 with 4:59 remaining. 

Rainy weather in Memphis worked against the home team when punter Ryan Winslow mishandled a snap that gave Orlando the ball back at the Express' 28-yard line. De'Veon Smith scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:36 remaining after a replay review:

Sky Judge changes the call, and the @aafAPOLLOS regain the lead‼️#ORLvsMEM pic.twitter.com/0wnaJrvrfT

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 30, 2019

The victory continues Orlando's dominance against Eastern Conference competition. The Apollos are a perfect 5-0 in those games. Their point differential of plus-100 is easily best in the AAF. The Arizona Hotshots enter Week 8 second in that category at plus-25. 

Memphis' slim postseason hopes now depend on it winning out and hoping Birmingham loses its final three games. 

Johnny Manziel's first AAF start is over after one series.

Manziel left Saturday's game against the Orlando Apollos after suffering a head injury. The former Heisman winner was 2-of-3 passing for 13 yards and an interception while adding 18 yards rushing. He was injured while attempting to make a tackle after throwing a red-zone pick on a tipped pass.

Manziel is done for the game after taking a blow from his own teammate

(via @TheAAF)pic.twitter.com/CYy8Vvzl7C

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 30, 2019

Signed by the Memphis Express on March 16, Manziel was slotted in as the team's third starting quarterback of the AAF's inaugural season. Christian Hackenberg began the season as the starter before giving way to Zach Mettenberger, who is currently injured.

Manziel was released by the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL in February. After his release, the CFL banned him because Manziel because of an unconfirmed violation of his contract.

"We advised Montreal that Johnny had violated one of the conditions we had set for him to be in our league. And Montreal announced his release today," CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said at the time. "We didn't release the terms of those conditions then and we're not going to do that now."

Manziel told Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today in July that the league required him to meet with doctors and a therapist and undergo drug testing because of his previous off-field issues. In 2016, he reached a plea deal after allegedly hitting ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley. The NFL also suspended him four games for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

Both the organization and teammates have been highly complimentary of Manziel since his signing.

"Just the caliber he brings with him, a great charisma about him," Express wide receiver Reece Horn told NFL.com's Herbie Teope. "The fans obviously love him and his name is a big brand, and that's the biggest thing I've learned.

"But once you get in meetings with him, running routes for him, catching the football for him, he's a great athlete, he's very competitive—something that I'm also very competitive, so it's the same fire in each of us. He doesn't say too much, but he does say things that need to be said and helps correct some guys, just giving his two cents from his experience in his football career. It's a blessing to play with him and he's a great teammate."

Johnny Manziel confirmed his separation with model Bre Tiesi, who married the ex-Cleveland Browns quarterback last March, in an interview with TMZ Sports.

"This is all very, very personal and very sad," Manziel told TMZ Sports. "I appreciate everyone who has been so supportive of both of us and I would just ask that everyone respect our privacy at this difficult time.

"My hope is to put my head down and be allowed to focus on work and what is required of me on the football field."

TMZ Sports previously reported that Tiesi erased images of Manziel from social media and responded in a comment to an Instagram user that "vows were broken."

Manziel recently joined the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football as a backup and gained 68 yards (48 passing, 20 rushing) in his team's 31-25 overtime win over the Birmingham Iron on Sunday.   

Johnny Manziel will go to great lengths to help draw attention for the Alliance of American Football.

On Monday night, Eminem tweeted the AAF should allow on-field fighting—similar to hockey—arguing it "would be key to league's success." Regardless of whether the league takes Eminem's advice, Manziel is already onboard.

I got you 🐐 https://t.co/oNXEErCxHD

— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) March 26, 2019

Manziel made his AAF debut for the Memphis Express in Sunday's 31-25 win over the Birmingham Iron. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner backed up starting quarterback Brandon Silvers and saw limited action. He finished 3-of-5 for 38 yards and ran for 20 yards on two carries.

Silvers had 266 yards and two touchdowns, so Manziel will likely be riding the bench again when Memphis returns to action Saturday against the Orlando Apollos.

Maybe Manziel will have a future as the Express' designated enforcer.

Model Bre Tiesi, the wife of former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel, said "vows were broken" in their marriage in an Instagram post. 

Tiesi, who has taken nearly all traces of Manziel off her social media accounts and removed his surname from her public profile, replied to a series of comments asking about the status of their marriage.

"maybe u should wonder why I would leave him instead of worrying about 'money' lucky for him I don't air out personals and lucky for u you are behind a screen u low life,” Tiesi said in a since-deleted comment captured by The Spun.

"u been married? U been betrayed? I don't do betrayal for a person I was devoted to period. Vows were broken f--k money and f--k u and every other loser on here," Tiesi said in another comment.

Manziel and Tiesi were married in 2018. The couple does not have any children. Manziel, who made his AAF debut over the weekend, has not publicly commented on the status of the marriage.

The quarterback returned to Instagram on Sunday after not posting on his profile since August. 

Johnny Manziel debuted in the Alliance of American Football on Sunday night, his third professional football league, as the quarterback of the Memphis Express.

Down 16-8 to the Birmingham Iron with 7:12 left in the second quarter, Manziel replaced starting quarterback Brandon Silvers. His first AAF play looked a lot like what used to be the norm for him as the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M as he scrambled for a 13-yard gain.

HERE'S JOHNNY. @JManziel2 now under center for the @aafexpress on @nflnetwork 📺. pic.twitter.com/0FWDaDh5BE

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 25, 2019

On the same drive, the 2014 No. 22 overall selection of the Cleveland Browns hit Express wide receiver Alton "Pig" Howard down the sideline for a 36-yard gain and his first AAF completion.

Johnny Manziel’s first completion as a member of the Express.#BHMvsMEM | #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/S017L3PHm5

— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 25, 2019

Silvers played the majority of the second half and led the Express to a 31-25 overtime comeback, but Manziel was good for another impressive completion to wide receiver Reece Horn. Manziel ended the night with three completions on five attempts for 48 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions.

The Express acquired Manziel on March 16 when he signed a player contract with the AAF. The Express claimed Manziel off waivers.

"This league is exactly what a lot of guys needed," Manziel said at his introductory press conference, per the Express. "There's a limited amount of opportunities and reps you get in the NFL or elsewhere."

Manziel will have to fight for his opportunity in Memphis as Silvers made a strong case to maintain the starting job on Sunday night.

Former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round NFL draft pick Johnny Manziel is now a member of the AAF's Memphis Express. 

While Manziel hasn't taken a snap during a game yet, Express co-offensive coordinator Bobby Blizzard said he's "ready right now" to compete.

"I think he's ready right now, just because he knows so much of our offense right now," Blizzard told Express team reporter Dylan Rubino. "He's building chemistry already with the weapons we have and the offensive line. He's familiar with everything that we do. If he gets in the game, I will call a play that he's familiar with."

Per Rubino, Manziel has taken the second-most snaps at practice this week behind Brandon Silvers, who will start at quarterback for Memphis against the Birmingham Iron at home on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.

Blizzard explained in detail why he felt Manziel was ready to roll.

"I mentioned the type of offense I ran, shouted some of the terminology I use, and his eyes lit up," Blizzard told Rubino. "He was calling out the plays before I even said anything. I looked at [Express head coach Mike Singletary] and gave him a thumbs up. He probably knew 75-to-80 percent of the offense before he even took a snap at practice."

Manziel shares his new coach's confidence.

"I'm light years away from where I was the first day out here," Manziel told Rubino after the Friday practice. "I'm very confident in myself and what we're doing here, what we're running and just trying to get better every day.

"I got to have a good, firm foundation of what this offense is. There's plays in our playbook right now that are exactly the same as the game-winner that I threw against Ole Miss. All across the SEC, I ran these plays successfully."

That familiarity could help jumpstart a pro career that has not gone to plan since 2014. Manziel completed just 57.0 percent of his passes in 15 games over two seasons for the Browns, throwing seven touchdowns and seven picks. He only managed 6.5 yards per pass attempt.

Off the field, Manziel has been the center of a tumultuous and turbulent series of off-the-field concerns, detailed by SportsDayDFW.com, which included allegations of domestic violence and multiple fines for his actions like flipping off a coach and arriving late for meetings.

He's largely stayed out of the news over the past few years, however, and earned some time with the CFL's Montreal Alouettes. Last season, Manziel completed 106 of 165 passes for five touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games.

Although Silvers will be getting the start, the Express don't have much to lose by throwing the 26-year-old Manziel into a game in the near future.

The 1-5 team will be eliminated from postseason contention if they lose to the Iron, but three regular-season contests remain after the Birmingham matchup.