An Alternate Reality Where the Vikings Drafted Johnny Manziel

Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

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Around this time last year, I was the conductor of the Johnny Manziel to the Minnesota Vikings Express. I remember being a little annoyed that Mike Zimmer called Manziel’s pro day a “sideshow”. Johnny Football had just spent two seasons dominating the SEC, including winning the Heisman Trophy in his freshman year. Sure there were concerns about his off the field habits but Zimmer was and is known as a coach who can mold those guys into team players. To me, pairing the charismatic quarterback with the demanding head coach seemed like pairing lamb with tuna fish – perfect.

I remember watching the draft, sweating out the pick swap with Cleveland because I was convinced the Browns were taking Manziel at 8. They didn’t but then the Vikings took Anthony Barr at 9. “Oh great,” I thought, “we got a project who was playing running back a couple years ago instead of Johnny Football. I hate everything!”

The rest of the first round felt like dodging bullets. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys passing on him felt like the biggest hurdle. Then, Cleveland traded up, his name was called and he was doing the “money” sign across the stage. I was not happy. I knew Teddy Bridgewater was still out there who I also liked, but I was terrified of the Vikings drafting Derek Carr. Clearly I know nothing about draft prospects but I did not have Carr high on my wish list. I liked Johnny best and Teddy next.

I was so bummed that I left the bar I was watching the draft at and went home. Luckily I got there just in time to see the Vikings select Bridgewater and I have been on Team Teddy ever since.

I cannot tell you how happy I am now that I was not the Vikings decision maker during the draft. Sure, Manziel could turn things around and may still have a better career than Teddy, but it sure does not look like it now. Bridgewater was everything you could ask for out of a rookie quarterback and Manziel was a disaster. At least one Browns player is now looking back, wishing the Browns had taken Bridgewater.

Due to the Zimmer factor there’s a chance Manziel could have thrived in Minnesota but it is hard to think so. I imagine a post after his hypothetical rookie year with the Vikings looking something like this:

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Well, that was…something. Mike Zimmer and Johnny Manziel have just finished their first seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the leaps and bounds made by the defense the team’s record was worse than last season, finishing 5-11. The offense was vaguely effective with Matt Cassel at the helm for the first handful of games but really had a hard time once Johnny Football took over. He showed flashes of his playmaking brilliance but ended up with 9 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Hopefully they can harness what he did well and minimize the mistakes next year and hahaha ohmigod why are my eyes bleeding?

Of course it is impossible to know how things would have turned out with Manziel instead of Bridgewater. It is also possible that this article could look very silly in a few years if Manziel turns it around and Bridgewater falters. I sincerely doubt it though.

All I do know is that I am happy with how everything turned out. Oh yeah, and that I’m an idiot.

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