Johnny Manziel may soon have a football career in Canada, as he has been offered a CFL contract by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, according to Bleacher Report. The team confirmed they are in negotiations with the free agent on Sunday.
In a statement, the Tiger-Cats said:
"As per the negotiation list process, Johnny Manziel and his agent recently notified the Tiger-Cats that they had activated the 10-day window during which the Tiger-Cats must offer him a contract or lose his negotiation list rights. That window closed today and we can confirm that we made an offer to Manziel, and that his rights will remain on our negotiation list while discussions with he and his agent continue. We will have no further comment."
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said he was ready to approve his contract last December after negotiations were made following Manziel's 2016 misdemeanor assault charge, which was later dropped. "[The process] has included an ongoing assessment by an independent expert on the issue of violence against women, a review by legal counsel, and an in-person interview of Mr. Manziel conducted by the Commissioner," Ambrosie's statement read. "As well, Mr. Manziel has been required to meet a number of conditions set by the league. As a result of this process, the Commissioner has now informed Mr. Manziel and the Tiger-Cats he is prepared to approve a contract for Mr. Manziel should one be negotiated."
The commissioner met with Manziel last year, speaking highly of the player with ESPN. "He represented himself incredibly well. He was thoughtful. I found him to be authentic and sincere. I also felt like he seems to have come to a good place in his life," Ambrosie shared. "He was talking a lot about his family. Now, I should say that's part of the problem. My bias is toward family. So when I'm with somebody in there talking about my family, immediately I feel good about the conversation."
Manziel, 25, has not played a professional football game since Dec. 27, 2015 for the Cleveland Browns.
