Johnny Manziel's relationship with Cleveland has officially hit rock bottom—and he's not planning a reconciliation anytime soon. The former Texas A&M star and 2014 first-round pick of the Browns made it crystal clear on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco's podcast, Nightcap, that he will carry a grudge against the city and its NFL franchise for the rest of his life.
“I sit here today and I go back and forth, am I going to let Cleveland off the hook, let it go or am I going to sit here with hate and animosity in my heart for the rest of my life,” Manziel admitted. “I finally sit here today, and I’m like, [Expletive] it, I think I’m gonna be (upset) at them and hate them forever. It is what it is man, no love for the Browns.”
Manziel didn't stop there. He doubled down with a chilling wish for the franchise that drafted him: “I’m rooting for 0-16 seasons every season.” The comments have reignited a bitter chapter in NFL history, one that saw Manziel flame out after just two seasons in Cleveland. He was out of the league by his mid-20s, later bouncing around the CFL and AFL before retiring from football entirely.
While Manziel has grown up considerably since those chaotic years, his animosity toward Cleveland remains raw. The feeling seems mutual. Browns fans have little sympathy for a quarterback who was handed an $8 million rookie contract and, according to many accounts, showed minimal dedication. One fan summed it up bluntly: “Johnny Manziel was paid $8 million by the team, watched approximately 0 seconds of film, and was flying to Vegas to go on benders the day before a game.”
The backlash on social media was swift and unforgiving. “The Browns can never win another game the rest of my life and as a fan I’ll still be incredibly happy because I’m not Johnny Manziel. Imagine crashing out of the league because you’re a horrible QB and still crying about it 11 years later,” another fan posted. Others called him a “loser” who squandered his talent, with one remarking, “All he had to do was study the playbook.”
Manziel's outburst comes amid a wave of athlete declarations—some triumphant, some bitter. In a world where Tom Brady's declaration about the 2026 World Cup sparked debate, and Deion Sanders declared himself cancer-free in a moment of pure joy, Manziel's venom stands out as a stark contrast. Even Myles Garrett's classy farewell to Cleveland showed how a star can leave with grace—something Manziel seems incapable of.
It's safe to say Manziel won't be welcomed back in Cleveland anytime soon. The Browns have moved on, with players like Denzel Ward wanting to stay despite trade rumors, and even Dillon Gabriel switching numbers in a sign of new beginnings. For Manziel, the hatred is a permanent part of his identity—a reminder of a career that never was, and a city he'll never forgive.
