Johnny Manziel believes Patrick Mahomes’ historic reign with the Chiefs was close to not coming to fruition.
During a recent appearance on “The Rush Podcast,” Manziel told Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby that he nearly signed with an AFC West rival in 2017.
“I thought I was going to sign in Kansas City the same year that Mahomes got drafted,” Manziel said. “So I think if they wouldn’t have taken a quarterback, which thank God they did, I think I could have ended up there.”
After being selected No. 22 overall by the Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft, Manziel failed to replicate the unparalleled success he achieved in college at the next level. The perceived “savior” of Cleveland’s franchise lasted only two years with the team that drafted him, in large part due to his struggles both on and off the field.
Had the Chiefs signed Manziel, the struggling signal-caller likely would’ve spent 2017 on the bench as a much-needed opportunity to reset and salvage his career. Kansas City already possessed a reliable starting quarterback in Alex Smith, who was named to his second Pro Bowl the year prior after leading his team to a 12-4 record and division title.
“Andy Reid has a really good long history of being able to help people, and he saw something in me as well,” Manziel said.
Reid hasn’t shied away from offering second chances to embattled players during his coaching career. While with the Eagles and Chiefs, the HC added several stars whose value was shot due to mistakes off the field, including quarterback Michael Vick, tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
Manziel nearly became Reid’s next project, though no deal with the Chiefs materialized.
“I took a couple meetings there and flew up to Kansas City and kicked the tires on it,” Manziel said. “It ended up not working out.”
In the end, things worked out for the best in Kansas City. The Chiefs traded up to pick No. 10 in the 2017 NFL Draft to select Mahomes, who’s already won three Super Bowls and cemented himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
