The Cleveland Browns almost missed their chance to scoop up Johnny Manziel.
Manziel was still available when the Dallas Cowboys were on the clock at the No. 16 slot during the 2014 NFL draft. The speculation that Manziel would join “America’s Team” was close to becoming a reality, according to Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
“I want you to know that almost as I was handing the card, it was that close to putting that Manziel card in. It was that close,” Jones said, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Taking Manziel undoubtedly would have created a quarterback controversy with incumbent Tony Romo. Jones said he believes Romo will remain the Cowboys’ quarterback for a few more years, so it just wasn’t the ideal situation to select Manziel.
“The question was, ‘Could we make it work with Tony Romo during the period of time that we are going to have Tony?'” Jones said. “And by the way, my expectations are that Tony will be our quarterback for several years to come as we move along.”
Jones also added that he believes Manziel will blossom into an NFL star after a spectacular two years in college.
“I know him personally,” Jones said. “I know that he is going to be a success in the National Football League, and it was a hard decision. And it is one that I will probably have for the rest of my career to think about.”
