Johnny Manziel expresses his strong disdain for the Browns after leaving the NFL.

Johnny Manziel’s Fractured Relationship with the Browns

There seems to be a lasting animosity between Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns.

In a recent episode of the “Nightcap” podcast, the former NFL player reflected on the tumultuous two seasons he spent in Cleveland starting in 2014. He expressed lingering frustrations about his time with the team.

“I’ve always felt the pressure from the hype, the media, and the expectations from the city of Cleveland. They wanted me to succeed, but it just didn’t work out,” he said.

Manziel was drafted by the Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, a decision he seems to regret. He chuckled as he remarked, “I think I’ll be angry at them forever, so what can I do?”

With little fondness for the franchise, he added, “I might even root for them to go 0-16 every season.”

Manziel previously gained prominence as a college football star at Texas A&M, notably winning the Heisman Trophy during his first year as a starter in 2012.

However, the transition to the NFL was far from smooth for him. He faced significant challenges, including issues with substance abuse and off-field controversies, ultimately leading to his release from the Browns in 2016.

Reflecting on his experiences, he told the hosts of “Nightcap” that he was responsible for his own downfall.

“I hear people say I’m to blame for my situation, but if you look closely, I’ve lived through so much,” he remarked. “Was Cleveland the best fit for me? Absolutely not. They knew my background and didn’t put me in the right situations.”

Even though football provided him some happiness, he acknowledged, “I have to take accountability for my actions. In the end, the only person I truly harmed was myself.”

Now 32, Manziel has been open about his life after football, particularly in the 2023 Netflix documentary “Untold: Johnny Football.”

He previously thought about making a comeback to the NFL, but has since shifted his focus to participating in a reality competition show.

Manziel will appear in future seasons of Fox’s “Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test,” which features various athletes, including Eric Decker, Randall Cobb, and Sean Johnson.