Many believed the Houston Texans would take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.
Among the quarterbacks rumored to go to Houston was Johnny Manziel, who instead went to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 22 selection.
The Texans elected to pass on Manziel — and every quarterback, for that matter — taking defensive end Jadeveon Clowney No. 1. The team did so, apparently, in fear of the off-the-field mania Johnny Football brings.
“I knew with Manziel it would be a frenzy,” Texans owner Bob McNair told ESPN.com on Friday. “And probably even if he didn’t succeed at being an outstanding NFL quarterback for a couple years, the fans would have been frenzied.”
The Texans also questioned if the former Texas A&M quarterback would fit into the offense the team runs.
“Long term, we had questions as to how well he’d fit in our system doing what we wanted to do,” McNair continued. “At the end of the day, you’ve gotta do what you think is best for the team. If you do what’s best for the team and the team succeeds as a result of it, the fans are going to forget those other things.”
McNair doesn’t blame Texans fans for wanting Manziel, though, citing their desire to win as the reason for any pressure.
“When they say they want you to get Manziel, it’s because (they think) with Manziel you’ve got a better chance to win,” McNair said. “Or with Vince Young, or with Reggie Bush, or whoever, it’s because they think you’ll be a better team with that person.”
Photo via Twitter/@ForTheWin
