CFL's Tiger-Cats offer Johnny Manziel a contract
Johnny Manziel might soon have a new home in the Canadian Football League.
The league's Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced in a statement Sunday afternoon that they have offered Manziel a contract, bringing the former Cleveland Brown and Heisman Trophy winner one step closer to returning to professional football.
The Tiger-Cats, who are led by former NFL and college head coach June Jones, held Manziel's negotiation list rights and had until Sunday to offer him a deal.
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"We can confirm that we made an offer to Manziel, and that his rights will remain on our negotiation list while discussions with he and his agent continue," the Tiger-Cats said in the statement. "We will have no further comment."
Manziel has not appeared in a professional football game since Dec. 27, 2015, his last game with the Browns.
The 25-year-old was approved to join the CFL by commissioner Randy Ambrosie late last month after a vetting process that included "an ongoing assessment by an independent expert on the issue of violence against women, a review by legal counsel, and an in-person interview of Mr. Manziel conducted by (Ambrosie)."
A misdemeanor assault charge against Manziel was dropped in November after he met the terms of a conditional dismissal agreement.
Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.