He has a contract for another season with the CFL Allouettes, but I would like to see him get another shot with the NFL. He seems to have righted the ship up in Canada, and he says he's happy there for now because he's playing. Implying he prefers that to trying to fight for a 2nd or 3rd string job in the NFL.
Nevertheless, he was once a first round draft pick for a reason. He has running ability and a good arm. I think you will see him back in the NFL perhaps in 2020 competing for a starting job, not a "franchise" QB but in the mix like a Tyrod Taylor/Bridgewater type. Two quarterbacks who went from CFL to NFL were Warren Moon and Doug Flutie. Both took NFL teams to the playoffs. So it can happen.
Articles want to point to his overall stats to show he struggled with 7 interceptions, but 4 of those came in the first game. He only gave up 3 INTs for the remaining 7 games. Here are his stats if you take out his first game. Of course that's the CFL, where WRs get the running head start. I'm sure the NFL in their constant quest to sabotage defenses will allow that soon.
7 games 97 Comp 145 Att 1186 Yds 5 TD 3 INT
Manziel is a punch line. Insert Manziel joke here. But he will get his chance back in the NFL, and I wouldn't say the Bucs are too high and mighty to be the team to give him that chance.
As a reminder, here is the bottom line from his NFL.com draft profile:
Draft Projection Rounds 1-2
Bottom Line A once-in-a-generation, run-around, ad-lib, sandlot-style quarterback who consistently won games playing a brand of fast-paced, jailbreak football that often goes off script and can be difficult both to game plan with and against. Is most comfortable on the move outside the pocket where he can find open throwing lanes and see the field and will command mush rush and extra spy defenders. Has defied the odds and proven to be a great college-system quarterback, but still must prove he is willing to work to be great, adjust his hard-partying, Hollywood lifestyle and be able to inspire his teammates by more than his playmaking ability. Overall character, leadership ability and work habits will define his NFL career. Rare competitiveness and third-down efficiency could carry him a long way, yet he could be challenged to avoid a crash-and-burn scenario if he does not settle down and mature. A high-risk, high-reward pick, Manziel stands to benefit from entering the NFL at a time when moving pockets are trending. No other quarterback can change the tempo of a game better if a demanding head coach feels confident he can manage the risk.
