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Johnny Manziel. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Manziel details struggles with Browns in new documentary

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 8/9/23

Johnny Manziel is considered one of the biggest busts in Cleveland Browns history and his relationship with the team and the city seemed to be doomed from the start.

Manziel’s struggles in the NFL were documented in the latest installment of the Netflix’s “Untold” series titled “Johnny Football,” in which the former first-round pick shared some candid information about his time in Cleveland.

"It didn't take me very long to be in Cleveland to find out that I wasn't going to be happy there," Manziel said. "I had every single thing that I could have ever wanted. You have money, you have fame, you're a first-round draft pick battling for a starting quarterback position. And when I got everything that I wanted, I think I was the most empty that I've ever felt inside.

"I would sit in my condo in Cleveland downtown and just feel like it was the only place that I could get away from everybody and anything. And I would look out those windows every day and I just felt empty. I went from one fishbowl city to another, and I wanted nothing to do with football I wanted nothing to do with stepping on that field. And I had bigger issues in my life than being able to go out and play free-spirited, flowing football.”

"I thought it was even worse than what we found out after he left," - @TheRealTRizzo's reaction to the new Johnny Manziel documentary.

What did you think of the doc? pic.twitter.com/adNpisgEAr
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 9, 2023

After one of the more decorated careers in college football history, one that included winning the Heisman Trophy and being named the AP College Football Player of the Year, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, a consensus All-American and a two-time All-SEC selection, the Browns took Manziel with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

He was also drafted in the 28th round of the 2014 MLB Draft as a shortstop by the San Diego Padres.

Manziel flamed out of the league after just two seasons and 14 games. Manziel had a 2-6 record as a starter, completed 57 percent of his passes (far below the NFL average of 65 percent) and threw as many interceptions as he did touchdowns (seven) with a passer rating of 74.4 (also well below the league average of 93.6).

Manziel didn't do much to help himself, as he admitted he didn't watch film during his time with the Browns.

Johnny Manziel revealed he didn’t watch any film during his time with the Browns. pic.twitter.com/96jpfcN00N
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 9, 2023

After his second season, Manziel was investigated for alleged domestic violence where he threatened to kill both himself and an ex-girlfriend, prompting the team to release a statement condemning his off the field behavior and hinting he would be cut.

Manziel then began to spiral. He lost endorsement deals with Nike and other brands, he was dropped as a client by agent Drew Rosenhaus and his father Paul told ESPN that his son was addicted to drugs.

"I had gone from the whirlwind ride of 2012 in College Station, the Heisman Trophy, the Cotton Bowl, the NCAA investigation, straight into another season, into the NFL draft,” Manziel added. “I just didn't get a break."

Manziel admitted in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Although he attempted a few comebackers over the years, including stints in the Canadian Football League in 2018, the Alliance of American Football in 2019 and the Fan Controlled Football League in 2021, Manziel now lives a quieter life out of the national spotlight.

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