Johnny Manziel, a former NFL quarterback, has shared his belief that Patrick Mahomes’ iconic tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs was on the brink of never coming to fruition. In a recent appearance on “The Rush Podcast,” Manziel recounted a pivotal moment in his own career that intersected with the Chiefs’ decision-making process in 2017, shedding light on the alternate paths that could have shaped both franchises and players.
Manziel revealed to Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby that he came close to signing with an AFC West rival in 2017, the same year Mahomes was drafted by the Chiefs. Reflecting on the scenario, Manziel expressed gratitude that the Chiefs ultimately opted to select a quarterback in the draft, thus averting a potential alignment with the struggling franchise at the time.
“If they wouldn’t have taken a quarterback, which thank God they did, I think I could have ended up there,” Manziel remarked during the podcast discussion.
Manziel’s journey in the NFL began when he was selected as the No. 22 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft. Despite his meteoric rise as a college football sensation, Manziel struggled to translate his success to the professional level, facing challenges both on and off the field. His tenure with the Browns lasted only two tumultuous years, marked by inconsistent performances and personal issues that overshadowed his potential as a franchise quarterback.
Had the Chiefs pursued a deal with Manziel in 2017, the quarterback’s fate would likely have been vastly different. With Alex Smith firmly entrenched as the team’s starting quarterback at the time, Manziel would have likely found himself on the bench, afforded the opportunity to reset and recalibrate his career trajectory under the mentorship of head coach Andy Reid.
“Andy Reid has a really good long history of being able to help people, and he saw something in me as well,” Manziel acknowledged, highlighting Reid’s reputation for offering second chances to players facing adversity.
Throughout his coaching career, Reid has demonstrated a willingness to take risks on players with troubled pasts, providing them with opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation. From Michael Vick to Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, Reid has played a pivotal role in the resurgence of numerous players who overcame personal obstacles to achieve success on the field.
For Manziel, the prospect of joining forces with Reid in Kansas City seemed promising, as he recalled taking meetings and exploring the possibility of signing with the Chiefs. However, negotiations ultimately fell through, and Manziel’s potential partnership with the team never materialized.
In hindsight, the failed deal with Manziel paved the way for the Chiefs to make a franchise-altering decision in the 2017 NFL Draft. Faced with the opportunity to select a quarterback of the future, the Chiefs traded up to pick No. 10, securing Mahomes as their top draft choice. Since then, Mahomes has emerged as a transcendent talent in the NFL, leading the Chiefs to three Super Bowl appearances and establishing himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the league.
While Manziel’s career took a different trajectory following his departure from the NFL, the parallel narratives of his near-deal with the Chiefs and’ ascension underscore the unpredictable nature of professional football. In the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, pivotal decisions and chance encounters can shape the destinies of franchises and players alike, leaving an indelible mark on the league’s storied history.
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