In an alternate history Chiefs fans might not know the greatness that is NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes as their starting quarterback. That is because in 2014, the Chiefs could have made a decision to draft Johnny Manziel had the Browns not traded up to draft him one selection prior.
It’s something that Chiefs Kingdom had discussed amongst themselves before. Now they have confirmation from someone in the room that the Chiefs were interested in Johnny Manziel.
Around the NFL writer Herbie Teope recently caught up with Memphis Express GM and former Chiefs director of pro scouting Will Lewis to ask him about his new quarterback Manziel. During the chat Lewis revealed that he, along with the rest of the Chiefs’ decision makers, had done a lot of work on Manziel leading up to the 2014 draft. That work generated quite a bit of intrigue.
“We did, I think, as thorough a job as you can do because at that time, obviously, Andy Reid was the head coach,” Lewis told NFL.com. “Doug Pederson was the offensive coordinator, a former quarterback. Matt Nagy was the quarterbacks coach, another quarterback. Brad Childress was in there, another offensive-minded guy.
“And all these guys have worked with quarterbacks. So, we felt like we would get as much information — as much insight into a guy like that — as anybody and that’s the way it worked out. So, it wasn’t just Dorsey that was intrigued with him. Andy Reid was very much intrigued with him and you had those other guys.”
At one point in time Manziel wasn’t the guy who flamed out of the NFL, he was the most exciting player in college football and there was a lot to like about his game. The problem was his game wasn’t the only thing in question, his off-field concerns persisted. Still, had the Browns not traded up and drafted Manziel the Chiefs would have been faced with a perplexing decision at pick No. 23 in the 2014 NFL draft. Do they draft Dee Ford or Johnny Football?
“Truly, if it had all been just about the player, then they may not have Patrick Mahomes there today because everybody was very much impressed with Johnny as a player,” Lewis said. “He competes, his mobility, his ability to throw the ball, his accuracy, all those things. They just went down the line and checked off the boxes.”
Manziel is now getting a new chance in football with the Alliance of American Football and the Memphis Express. He didn’t start this past week for the team, but he played for a few series worth of snaps.
Maybe had the Chiefs selected Manziel, he would have had a proper support system and the coaching needed to succeed in the NFL. Maybe he would have met the same struggles that currently have him playing in a different league.Thankfully everything worked out for the Chiefs, and they’ve now got a franchise quarterback that makes you forget about any would have, should have, could have moments in past NFL draft classes.
