Johnny Manziel, a freewheeling quarterback once thought to be the savior of Browns football in Cleveland, but who ended up succumbing to a litany of off-the-field problems that doomed his short tenure in the AFC North, was officially released on Friday, the Browns announced.
Almost two years ago, the Browns selected Manziel with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2014 draft, ahead of Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr. Both have since been named to the Pro Bowl.
Manziel texted then-quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains from the draft's green room as he began a sharp slide down the board.