Should the New York Jets take a chance on Johnny Football?
Nov 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) walks off the field in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret the New York Jets desperately need a quarterback, but everyone knows Johnny Manziel isn’t even close to being the answer.

There are actual New York Jets fans out there who think they should consider taking a chance on Johnny Manziel? ESPN’s Rich Cimini addressed this in an article after being asked by someone on Twitter if the front office could potentially go in his direction.

This almost made me vomit, which, in a way, would be really fitting — if you think about it.

Manziel has shown signs of attempting to turn his life around. The troubled quarterback was drafted with the 22nd overall pick by the Cleveland Browns. His NFL career has been rife with controversy.

At Texas A&M, Manziel was a walking highlight reel who often put the team on his back en route to thrilling victories. But in the NFL, he became a walking distraction. After just two seasons, the Browns ultimately decided to cut bait due to the off the field troubles usurping the unrealized potential. He hasn’t played a single snap since then, so why would the Jets want him?

Well, maybe because it’d fit perfectly in the narrative. It would be such a Jets thing to do. Many have compared it to signing Tim Tebow. But no, it would be significantly worse.

Tebow’s issue was that of not being able to play the game at this level. He came across as an incredibly respectful individual with a love for the game.

Manziel has the same problem Tebow had (though he’s better) coupled with the lack of desire for making football his priority. He’s been given countless chances to prove himself, but hasn’t possessed the passion needed to perfect his craft. And in wrecking his own life, he bestowed a cloud of stress upon his teammates and organization.

Tom Brady gets it. So goes Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan. Did anyone ever surmise Manziel could be in the conversation with these all-time greats?

Absolutely not, but what’s to stop him from working just as hard as these guys to attain success at the highest level? Nothing at all.

The Jets are in no position to take chances that have this much risk attached to it. The potential for disaster is much too high. This isn’t an organization that has a winning culture that could revitalize athlete’s careers. Too much could go wrong. It would be a catastrophe for a team that is no stranger to that.

In fact, if the Jets are looking at any QB’s this offseason, it should unequivocally be a seasoned vet. This means, don’t draft another quarterback — something they’ve done four times in the last five years.

I’ve said ad nauseam that it’s not necessarily the methodology that’s flawed, it’s the execution. So far for the Jets, these decisions haven’t worked out. What evidence is there to believe they’d actually be able to change Manziel?

None.

There’s no way Johnny Football will be in a Jets uniform. It sounds fun. It’s something that would produce a ton of headlines, but the Jets’ infrastructure is too fragile, devoid of any stability.

Resist that urge Gang Green. This would be the worst decision in the franchise’s history.

Content provider, producer and on air talent at ESPN Radio in Syracuse (@ESPNSyracuse). Disc Jockey for @TKClassicRock. Play by play announcer. Live and breathe sports - for better or for worse. Aspirations are that of becoming the greatest.