Johnny Manziel signs with Spring League, will report in March
Quarterback Johnny Manziel has officially signed a football contract.
Manziel announced Wednesday he'll head to Austin, Texas, for the upcoming Spring League season and report on March 28.
Back in Texas where it all started. I'll be joining @TheSpringLeague in Austin to get #ComebackSZN started! Can't wait to get back on the field and show NFL scouts what I can do! #cantwaitforspring pic.twitter.com/zMk5223HCc
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) February 14, 2018
The Spring League, founded in 2016, is a developmental league and scouting event for professional football talent that takes place between March and April. In its inaugural year, its games were played in West Virginia. The 2018 season will take place in Manziel's home state and consist of four games.
"The Spring League has provided me with a great opportunity to play ball again, and ultimately, that is all I want to do," Manziel told Bleacher Report in a statement. "I've made my share of mistakes, but I'm 25 years old and I know my best football is ahead of me."
It was recently reported that the former first-round pick was working on a contract to join the CFL. Instead, he could look to join the NFL after Spring League.
Related: Manziel reveals bipolar disorder diagnosis, says he's stopped drinking
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Manziel's season will begin March 28 and end April 15, just in time to attend an NFL team's OTAs if signed afterward. More than 20 teams are expected to send scouts to attend practices and games.
"Teams want to see him in shape and with pads on playing again," Manziel's agent, Erik Burkhardt, told ProFootballTalk. "So that's what they're going to get. Willing to start comeback from the very bottom."
Last year, the Spring League featured a number of former NFL players, including Fred Jackson, Greg Hardy, Ben Tate, and Ahmad Bradshaw.