The Browns finally cut the cord on quarterback Johnny Manziel Friday with a short release noting his stats from two seasons with the team and ignoring all the ancillary reasons why he’s being released two years after being drafted in the first round.
We had heard plenty from the Browns about those reasons since the end of the regular season, but it’s been a while since we’ve heard much from Manziel. He did issue a statement via his publicist after his release, however.
“I’d like to thank the Browns for the opportunity they gave me -- nearly two years ago, we all hoped that we were building what could be a championship team for Cleveland,’' Manziel said in the statement. “I will always remember the support I received from the organization, my teammates and especially the fans.”
Needless to say, the Browns didn’t build a championship team or even the framework for one over the last two seasons. Manziel is eligible to be claimed off of waivers, although it seems unlikely that anyone will be snapping Manziel up until his domestic violence case in Texas is resolved at the very least.