Manziel signed a contract with the Alliance of American Football and has been claimed by the Memphis Express, Jason Munz of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manziel was released by the Montreal Alouettes in late February after he committed an undisclosed violation of his CFL contract, finishing his time in the league with 1,290 passing yards, 215 rushing yards, five passing touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games. He may eventually have a shot at playing time in Memphis, where Christian Hackenberg and Zach Mettenberger (ankle) have led the Express to a 1-5 start. Even if he does get his chance under center, Manziel is a long way from earning consideration for a return to the NFL.

Manziel has been released by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, and the CFL has informed all of its clubs that it will not register a contract for the quarterback should any club attempt to sign him. "We are disappointed by this turn of events. Johnny was provided a great deal of support by our organization, in collaboration with the CFL, but he has been unable to abide by the terms of his agreement," said general manager Kavis Reed in a statement. "We worked with the league and presented alternatives to Johnny, who was unwilling to proceed."

EDGE Analysis

Manziel allegedly "had contravened the agreement which made him eligible to play in the league." While the exact infraction the quarterback is reportedly responsible for remains behind closed doors, this development likely made Manziel's chance at making it in the NFL even more of a longshot.

Manziel announced Saturday on his Twitter account that he has signed a two-year contract with the Hamiton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.

EDGE Analysis

Once opposed to playing north of the border, Manziel's tune has changed after receiving lukewarm interest from NFL teams. He completed nine of his 15 pass attempts for 83 yards and a touchdown during The Spring League, proving to still possess talent greater than his competitors at the showcase. Following some struggles with addiction and bipolar disorder that led to a quick exit from the NFL, he will attempt to get his career back on track. A strong showing with Hamilton in 2018 could prompt an NFL club to give Manziel, still just 25, another chance to compete for a roster spot.

Manziel completed nine of 15 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's appearance in The Spring League, NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manzie threw a pretty touchdown pass while rolling out to his right early in the game, but he also took three sacks and failed to erase a four-point deficit on the final drive. It was a mixed bag in his first football game since Dec. 27, 2015, with the 2014 first-round pick unable to fully take advantage of developmental-league competition that's far below NFL standards. Manziel said in late March that he'd be willing to play in the CFL if he doesn't get any NFL offers this offseason, hoping to restart his career after struggles with addiction and bipolar disorder contributed to a rapid fall out of professional football. He recently threw in front of NFL scouts during pro days at the University of San Diego and Texas A&M, shortly after announcing that he'd participate in The Spring League. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats own Manziel's CFL rights and represent his best shot at playing in an actual game this upcoming season, but the 25-year-old likely hopes he'll get a chance to compete for a roster spot in the NFL.

Manziel said he will play in the CFL if he doesn't get any NFL offers this offseason, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 2014 first-round pick has been out of football since March 2016 when he was released by the Browns. Believed to be sober after years of substance-abuse issues, Manziel threw to receivers at the University of San Diego's pro day last week and is scheduled for an appearance at Texas A&M's pro day on Tuesday, per NFL.com. He also intends to play in The Spring League, a developmental football league in Austin, Texas for NFL hopefuls. His CFL rights are held by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, a team that went 6-12 while dealing with shaky quarterback play for much of last season.

Manziel posted Wednesday on his personal Twitter account that he'll resume his playing career in The Spring League, a scouting and showcase event based in Austin, Tex.

EDGE Analysis

Manziel has been out of football since being waived by the Browns in March of 2016 following a dismal two-year stint with the club following his selection with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. In addition to his struggles in running the Cleveland offense, Manziel was involved in several off-the-field incidents during his time in the league, limiting other NFL teams' interest in granting him a second chance. During an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" last week, Manziel expressed that he's ready to return to the gridiron after his extended break, acknowledging that he's in a better place to resume his career after getting sober and receiving medication to address bipolar disorder, a condition he said he was diagnosed with "about a year ago," according to ESPN.com. If the Heisman Trophy winner impresses in The Spring League, which runs from March 28 through mid-April, it's possible that a team may extend him a training-camp invite, but it's still a longshot that Manziel will ever take another snap in the NFL.

The Canadian Football League approved Manziel to a sign a 2018 contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since being waived by the Browns in March of 2016 following a disastrous two-year run with the team marred by several off-field incidents, Manziel hasn't played professionally anywhere. It appears Manziel's road back to the NFL will have to begin north of the border, though he'll need to fulfill a number of confidential restrictions in order to remain eligible in the CFL. If the 25-year-old Manziel ultimately signs with Hamilton and finds success in his return to the field while avoiding the police blotter, he could get another look at the NFL level down the line.

Saints head coach Sean Payton suggested the team doesn't expect to sign Manziel, NOLA.com's Larry Holder reports.

EDGE Analysis

Payton and Manziel met for lunch last week, which led to rumors that the Saints are interested in signing the 24-year-old quarterback as a potential long-term successor to Drew Brees. The more likely scenario is that Manziel simply wanted to talk with a respected figure in the league about what he would have to do to get his career back on track. If he does end up signing with a team before the season, it'll likely be as a developmental project looking toward 2018 and beyond. Manziel also would need to serve a four-game suspension for his last violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Manziel met with Saints head coach Sean Payton to discuss a possible return to football, NFL.cm's Ian Rapoport reports.

EDGE Analysis

This doesn't mean the Saints have any interest in Manziel, who was released by the Browns last March and spent 2016 out of the NFL. The 24-year-old quarterback likely sought out Payton's advice because the veteran coach is a well-known, respected figure around the league. If he does in fact catch on with a team, Manziel will still need to serve a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Any interested teams likely would view him as a developmental project more so than a potential 2017 contributor.

The NFL has suspended Manziel four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manziel, who was released by the Browns back in March, remains a free agent, with off-field concerns continuing to cloud his NFL future. In any case, the QB won't be eligible to suit up in the NFL to start the 2016 season and at this stage it remains to be seen if/when he'll be afforded an opportunity to do so.