The Browns will part with troubled quarterback Johnny Manziel, but they might not meet the original expectation for when they’ll sever ties.
When Browns head of football operations Sashi Brown condemned Manziel in a statement Feb. 2, the team expected to waive the former Heisman Trophy winner once the NFL’s new calendar year started, thereby giving them the necessary salary-cap space to absorb the $4.624 million cap hit. The new league year will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
There’s still a strong possibility the Browns will cut him then, but they’re leaving themselves some wiggle room on the timing.
Why?
Well, the Browns could hold onto Manziel past Wednesday if they think there’s a chance they could find a trade partner willing to take him and the remainder of his contract off their hands. It would be stunning if another team would surrender even a conditional late-round draft pick for him. But the Browns haven’t ruled out the slim possibility of a team dealing for him rather than waiting to claim him off waivers or sign him once he clears waivers.
Either way, it’s unlikely the Browns would keep Manziel beyond this week.
He definitely won’t be on the team for long. It’s just a matter of exactly when, not if, the divorce will be finalized.
A grand jury will decide whether to charge Manziel after his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, accused him of beating her and threatening to kill them both Jan. 30 in Dallas. The NFL is also investigating the incident under its personal-conduct policy and could suspend Manziel even if he’s not charged.
The Browns will likely try to recoup guaranteed money in Manziel’s contract, but they don’t plan on keeping him on the roster for an extended time to do so. Most NFL contracts contain provisions that void guarantees if a player is suspended.
Close to coach
Impending free-agent cornerback Adam Jones is probably a long shot to sign with the Browns, but he shouldn’t be entirely dismissed as a candidate because he’s close to coach Hue Jackson.
Jackson spent the past four seasons with Jones and the Cincinnati Bengals, including the last two as their offensive coordinator. He coached Jones and the rest of the secondary in 2012.
“Me and Hue Jackson have a great relationship,” Jones said Tuesday on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “He’s more of a father figure to me. He’s been to my house. He called me when I’ve been down and out. The year that me and [former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer] didn’t see eye to eye because I couldn’t tackle, he stepped up for me. He’s been remarkable. He’s more like a father figure to me.”
So why is Jones unlikely to join the Browns?
Jones will turn 33 in September, and Brown is on the record saying the franchise wants to sign younger players. Jones also has a checkered past, and the Browns are still digging themselves out of the wreckage created by Manziel.
Drawing interest
Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin has piqued the interest of the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons and San Diego Chargers, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Benjamin is one of four key Browns players scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. The others are three-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and former Pro Bowl free safety Tashaun Gipson.
Visit set
Kansas State fullback Glenn Gronkowski told the Topeka Capital-Journal and ChiefsDigest.com he has a pre-draft visit with the Browns scheduled for later this month.
He is the youngest of five brothers, including New England Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.