Johnny Manziel worked out last week in Buffalo before a contingent of Hamilton Tiger-Cats coaches and front-office personnel, TSN has learned.
But the former Heisman Trophy winner will not be coming north anytime soon.
The Ticats put Manziel through a series of physical and medical tests during their bye week on Aug. 23 and 24, coming away convinced he’s not ready to resume his professional career.
“Too many red flags,” said one source.
Hamilton's contingent in Buffalo included head coach June Jones, vice-president of football operations Kent Austin, general manager Eric Tillman, assistant general manager Shawn Burke and team president and CEO Scott Mitchell. The group left the session with the understanding that they would not be pursuing Manziel at this time.
The Cleveland Browns drafted Manziel 22nd overall in 2014, but released him after two seasons marked by poor play and distractions related to his partying and drinking, including a stint in rehab. Manziel has been out of the football since the end of the 2015 season and failed in his attempts this to get into an NFL training camp this summer.
The Ticats were hoping to learn that Manziel, 24, is ready to put his troubled past behind him and dedicate himself to becoming the player he was in college. Most importantly, the team wondered if Manziel could manage becoming the face of a franchise and the attention that would come with a return to the spotlight.
The answer to those questions was a resounding no, according to sources. Among other concerns, the Ticats were not convinced Manziel is in in game shape or that his off-field regiment is consistent with that of someone dedicated to professional football.
According to a source, the Ticats plan to keep Manziel on their negotiation list. Should his agent declare that Manziel is ready to sign a contract to come to Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats would have 10 days to either sign him or trade his rights to another CFL team.
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