Report: Browns voided Manziel's guaranteed money before cutting him
When troubled quarterback Johnny Manziel was handed a four-game suspension for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy in late June, the biggest question that arose wasn't about his on-field future, but rather whether he'd lose over $2 million owed to him by the Cleveland Browns in guaranteed money.
Despite cutting him in March, the Browns were believed to still be on the hook for the remaining $2.173 million left on Manziel's rookie deal.
However, Manziel's suspension was inconsequential, as the Browns already voided the guaranteed money on his contract prior to his release, sources told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Florio outlined several reasons the Browns could have cited for voiding Manziel's remaining guaranteed money:
- A suspension imposed by the league under any policy
- A suspension imposed by the team
- Failure or refusal to report, practice, or play
- Leaving the team without prior written consent
While the Browns' reason wasn't stated, Manziel reportedly left the team late in the season to travel to Las Vegas when he was required to be at the team facility under the league's concussion protocol.
The NFLPA didn't attempt to challenge the Browns' decision, meaning it was likely an open-and-shut case, Florio notes.