Chargers: Why not take a shot on Johnny Manziel?

One of the more interesting available quarterbacks is former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel. To the surprise of many, the Los Angeles Chargers have emerged as a good fit.

The Los Angeles Chargers need to start preparing for a future without Philip Rivers. Rivers has been nothing but consistent in his career, starting every game since he was named the starter in 2006. Rivers’ backups have been limited to preseason games and late-game blowouts.

Rivers is now entering the later stages of his career. Although he is still durable and consistent, his NFL future is not a long-term one. There are two years left on Rivers’ contract; Rivers himself even said the Chargers should be looking for his replacement last June.

Now, that discussion has shifted to 2018. The Chargers are in a great position where they can use a first or second-round pick on a quarterback. Both Mason Rudolph and Lamar Jackson should be available for the Chargers; both are quality starting quarterbacks.

However, with at least two more years of Rivers, the Chargers may look to use the picks to build a team to finally get him that Super Bowl ring. Thus, free agency becomes an option. No free agent option is more polarizing than Johnny Manziel.

The Chargers attended Manziel’s University of San Diego Pro Day workout. Manziel has been out of the league since 2015, battling various legal issues and a history of partying.

Those red flags have caused a lot of fans to scoff at the idea of the Chargers bringing in Manziel. However, bringing in Manziel is a low-risk move that could benefit both the Chargers and Manziel.

Manziel would not be coming in to be a starter, obviously. Heck, he probably would not even be coming to be the successor to Philip Rivers. Instead, the Chargers can finally get a respectable back up to Rivers, something they have never had. While fans can rely on Rivers, he is not indestructible.

More from LA Sports Hub

This roster is far too talented for the season to go down the drain if Rivers gets hurts. Manziel is no Philip Rivers, but he is definitely better than Kellen Clemens.

Manziel gets a gateway back into the league and a mentor in Rivers that can help him reach his massive potential. The Chargers get some relief behind Rivers while not needing to use a draft pick in 2018 on a quarterback.

Manziel would be a backup. I’ve never seen a backup quarterback be so rejected. Yes, he has a history of some legal issues and some bad choices. However, he has seemed to grow as a person and realize the impact of his choices.

Manziel was a college kid that got millions of dollars overnight. I just can’t wrap my head around the idea of people, who probably partied in their younger days, criticizing Manziel for being, well, a college kid.

That does not excuse what he did; he was a professional and he should have acted as such. But just because a kid in his young 20s partied, like MOST 20-year-old kids, does not make him a lost cause. It does not make him a negative presence in the locker room.

Next: Who should the Chargers draft in the first-round?

If I am the Los Angeles Chargers, I am definitely considering bringing in Johnny Manziel. That discussion has obviously already happened or they would not have attended his pro day. And I circle back; why not? Let me know in the comments.

Home/Los Angeles Chargers