In the early 2010s, Johnny Manziel was a household name who became the talk of the sports world. “Johnny Football” captivated the nation with his electric style of play, becoming the first freshman in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy and getting picked No. 22 overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Manziel’s fame transcended sports. He was a rock star, getting name-dropped in popular songs, hanging out with celebrities like Drake and LeBron James, and boasting the NFL’s top-selling jersey at one point.
However, fame came with many struggles for Manziel. He had trouble navigating overnight celebrity status, and his partying and off-field mistakes ultimately ended his NFL career after just two seasons. Since his NFL tenure was so short, how much money did Manziel earn, and what is his net worth?
What Is Johnny Manziel’s Net Worth?
As of August 2024, Manziel’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million. This is a steep drop from the August 2023 estimate of $6 million, but Manziel has given a number of candid interviews recently that provided some clarity on his current situation.
Most of Manziel’s fortune came from his NFL salary while playing for the Browns. Over his two seasons in the NFL, Manziel earned $7,707,913 from his rookie-scale contract.
Given his popularity, Manziel also had quite a few endorsements, including partnerships with companies such as Nike, Nissan, McDonald’s, Panini America, MusclePharm, and Snickers. These endorsement deals earned him an additional $10 million.
Johnny Manziel’s Post-NFL Life
Manziel’s last season in the NFL was in 2015, and he did not see a football field again until 2018, when he returned to a professional team setting north of the border as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League. However, while a member of the Tiger-Cats, he did not see action in the team’s first six games. The Montreal Alouettes traded for Manziel, and that is where he was given another shot at being under center.
Yea, this doesn’t shock me. Looked like it. Manziel played like a QB that saw defensive schemes for the first time when the ball was snapped inside of stadiums.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 9, 2023
The game Manziel debuted in was against the team that traded him away, and it was anything but joyous for the former Texas A&M QB as he threw four interceptions in the first half en route to a 50-11 beat down.
This stint did not last long, as the league decided to cut ties with Manziel in 2019 because he failed to fulfill his contractual agreements. Manziel told USA TODAY Sports that he failed to keep up with weekly league-mandated therapy appointments, mandatory doctor visits, and monthly Lithium tests.
From there, Manziel continued his playing career in the States, signing on to join the Alliance of American Football League before later joining the newly created Fan Controlled Football League in late December 2020. Since that stint ended, Manziel hasn’t played football anywhere.
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Recently, Manziel has opened up about his struggles with addiction and bipolar disorder. Determined to turn his life around, Manziel recently got sober.
These days, Manziel spends a lot of time with his family, goes golfing, and watches football on the weekends rather than playing it. He’s also an uncle now, spending as much time as possible with his two nieces.
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