LA Rams Notes: Is QB Johnny Manziel Worth Risk?

The Los Angeles Rams have entered dangerous territory.

The franchise, without a winning season since 2003 and under the direction of a new coaching staff, is under pressure to upgrade talent quickly. But the trade that brought No. 1 NFL Draft pick Jared Goff last season and the limited money available to sign free agents leaves the Rams having to be creative.

Leading to the question: Is exploring a possible signing of controversial quarterback Johnny Manziel part of that creativity, or just plain reckless?

Just the mention of inquiring about Manziel shows L.A. in a precarious, if not desperate, situation to improve.

Manziel rehired agent Erik Burkhardt—or rather, Burkhardt, who dropped Manziel last February, has agreed to plot Manziel’s comeback to the NFL after getting assurances that Manziel would make “serious commitments” to the process, NFL.com has reported (h/t theramswire.com).

Questions about Manziel’s athletic ability and quarterback prowess have been prevalent since he was a 2014 first-round draft selection of the Cleveland Browns.

Despite his reckless off-the-field behavior, Manziel seemed to be improving on the field in 2015 before he got hurt. But Johnny Football also received a four-game suspension last season because of a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy in 2015.

It is unclear whether Manziel still would have to sit out those four games because he never stepped foot on the field in 2016.

The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner does have a penchant to make plays and potentially could give Goff enough competition at practice to force Goff to elevate his game. If Sean Mannion remains the backup, Goff faces little fear of losing his job unless he is absolutely terrible.

A rehabilitated Manziel could push Goff, and the Rams might be able to get him at a discounted rate as he tries to re-enter the league.

But is it worth the risk of adding a player whose biggest claim to fame in the NFL is putting all the focus on himself through his social-media postings?

A remorseless, untrustworthy Manziel could present disastrous consequences being around Goff and a young Rams locker room.

Can the Rams be trusted to do their due diligence on Manziel? They haven’t had a great recent track record of making the right moves.

That alone could dissuade them from considering the risky move.

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