Johnny Manziel, well-known as Johnny Football, is a name that gets people talking in the football world. If you’re a fan of football, especially the NFL, you surely know who he is. He was the shining star at Texas A&M before he made his way to the Cleveland Browns. But did you ever wonder what would have happened if Johnny Football had ended up with the Minnesota Vikings instead? Well, let me tell you, it sure would have been an interesting twist in his career.
Back in 2014, there was a lot of buzz around Johnny Manziel. The guy had this crazy college career, and folks were betting on him to be the next big thing in the NFL. His skill on the field, his ability to move with the ball, and the way he could turn a game around made him a fan favorite. But despite all the talent, things didn’t go as planned once he hit the pros.
In 2014, the NFL draft was buzzing, and Johnny Manziel was a top name. Fans, especially those from Minnesota, were dreaming that their beloved Vikings would pick him up. The Vikings had the 8th pick that year, and many people were hoping they’d choose him as their future quarterback. But, well, that didn’t happen. The Vikings decided to go in a different direction, and Manziel ended up with the Cleveland Browns instead.
If Manziel had made his way to the Vikings, who knows how things might have turned out. The Vikings, at that time, were looking for a strong leader, a quarterback who could bring them to the promised land. Manziel had the potential, but the distractions off the field were too much. His fame, his lifestyle, and the problems that followed him around didn’t allow him to focus on the game the way he needed to.
Fans of the Vikings, though, still hold on to the idea of what could have been. Some say that Manziel’s style of play could have brought something different to the team. Imagine the excitement of seeing Johnny Football in a purple jersey, running the ball and making those crazy plays that he became known for in college. It could’ve been a new chapter for the Vikings, a new star to cheer for. But, as we all know, things don’t always go the way we plan.
Now, here we are years later, and Johnny Manziel isn’t playing in the NFL anymore. After his time with the Cleveland Browns and a short stint with the Memphis Express, he hasn’t been able to stick with any other teams. It’s a real shame because he had the talent. His story is one of great potential but also of missed opportunities. In 2024, he even launched a new podcast, Glory Daze, with Almost Friday Media, trying to turn the page and move forward. But let’s face it, it’s not the same as hearing him throw that winning touchdown on a Sunday afternoon.
Now, what happened to Johnny Manziel, you might wonder? Well, after the NFL, he tried to keep playing in smaller leagues, like the Fan Controlled Football league, but nothing really panned out. His time in the NFL was cut short, and his contract with the Browns, worth $8.25 million for four years, ended after just two seasons. It wasn’t the fairytale ending many had hoped for.
What went wrong, though? Manziel himself has said in interviews and documentaries that a lot of his downfall was tied to personal issues, including a battle with addiction. That’s something a lot of fans didn’t know about at the time, but it became clear that off-the-field problems were just as big a challenge as anything that happened during games. Despite his skills, his demons off the field held him back from being the star he was expected to be.
Today, people still talk about Johnny Manziel, wondering what might have been. Would he have had a better career with the Vikings? Would he have been the difference-maker that Minnesota needed? We can only guess. But one thing’s for sure: Johnny Football’s story is one of what could’ve been, and it’s a reminder that even the most talented players need the right focus and support to make it in the NFL.
In the end, Johnny Manziel is a cautionary tale, a reminder of the highs and lows of professional sports. A tale of fame, fortune, and the price of distractions. As fans, we’ll always wonder about the what-ifs, but we also know that some stories, no matter how promising, just don’t have the happy ending we expect.
Tags：[Johnny Manziel, Vikings, NFL, Johnny Football, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Texas A&M, NFL Draft, 2014 Draft, Quarterback, NFL Career, Football Podcast]