The unthinkable has happened this week in Cleveland: Johnny Manziel has become too valuable to cut.
Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said he believed it was possible for the embattled quarterback to make his way back onto the field this season, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
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"As we all know, a six-game season in the NFL is a long stretch -- a very long stretch,'' said DeFilippo. "We're a long way from the end of the season. You don't close doors on anything. You never say never in this profession. To say that Johnny Manziel will not play again this season, I'm not ready to say that."
Which means Manziel likely will find his way back onto the field this season.
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The Browns demoted Manziel from starter to third string after he violated "trust and accountability," coach Mike Pettine said. Manziel was photographed partying during Cleveland's bye week, and he lied to the coaching staff, suggesting the photos were old, Fox Sports reported.
It's the second incident involving Manziel and alcohol, just months after he spent 10 weeks in a treatment facility for undisclosed reasons.
In October, police questioned Manziel about a reported domestic incident involving his girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, and he admitted to having been drinking that day. Manziel denied striking Crowley, who reported that he pushed her head against the glass of the car.
Manziel had a dubious 2014 season in which his offseason was filled with social media reports of him partying in various cities before and after the Browns drafted him in the first round. He had a forgettable rookie season in which he lost both of his games as a starter and had a passer efficiency rating of 42.
The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, however, has played much better in 2015 and had his best game in his last start against the Steelers, throwing for 372 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 30-9 victory two weeks ago.
"I like what I've seen,'' said DeFilippo. "I really do. Even the jump he made from the Cincinnati game to the Pittsburgh game was a huge jump. I think we'd all agree on that. I think Johnny has played enough football where we know what we have in him.''
Asked whether he believes Manziel still has the potential to become a franchise quarterback, DeFilippo said, "Yes."
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