Johnny Manziel To Hire Drew Rosenhaus

5:08pm: Manziel has formally hired Rosenhaus for representation, according to La Canfora (Twitter link).

4:17pm: A week after becoming a free agent, and about a month and a half after losing his agent, Johnny Manziel appears likely to hire Drew Rosenhaus for representation, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter links). According to La Canfora, the situation remains “fluid,” but several of his sources say that Rosenhaus is very well-positioned to take over as Manziel’s agent.Johnny Manziel

Manziel’s previous agent, Erik Burkhardt, publicly cut ties with the troubled quarterback in early February in the wake of the latest off-field incident involving Manziel.

“Though I will remain a friend and Johnny supporter, and he knows I have worked tirelessly to arrange a number of professional options for him to continue to pursue, it has become painfully obvious that his future rests solely in his own hands,” Burkhardt said last month in a statement. “His family and I have gone to great lengths to outline the steps we feel he must take to get his life in order. Accountability is the foundation of any relationship, and without it, the function of my work is counterproductive.”

Although Rosenhaus appears poised to take over Manziel’s business interests, the super-agent won’t have an easy time finding the former first-round pick a new NFL home. La Canfora notes (via Twitter) that multiple teams have suggested they have no interest in considering Manziel until (or unless) he commits to major life changes, including making real progress toward getting sober.

The ex-Brown spent some time in rehab a year ago, but was spotted in nightclubs and bars several times during and after the 2015 season, and has repeatedly made headlines for off-field incidents, including a domestic altercation with his ex-girlfriend. A Dallas grand jury is currently deliberating over whether Manziel will face charges.

While it was Manziel’s off-field behavior that cost him his roster spot in Cleveland, he didn’t fare all that well on the field when he saw action during his first two seasons. The 23-year-old made eight starts and played in 15 total games for Cleveland, completing 57% of his passes (147 of 258) for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His overall passer rating was 74.4.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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