Even though Johnny Manziel is under contract with the Montreal Alouettes for the 2019 CFL season, the 26-year-old seems intrigued by the possibility of playing in the Alliance of American Football or Xtreme Football League.

“It’s great for football, it’s great for the guys who need more opportunity, need more film and time to play. I don’t know exactly what my exact steps will be for the next years coming up, but at least there’s a lot of options,” Manziel said on Barstool Sports Comeback SZN podcast.

“Me and E.B. [agent Erik Burkhardt] are fully committed to playing ball and trying to get into the best situation possible and that’s what it’s all about.”

Manziel is due an off-season bonus of $75,000 from the Montreal Alouettes on March 1. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner is set to make $202,000 in base salary with $18,000 housing and $150,000 more is possible from playtime incentives. That’s the money available on the final year of Manziel’s two-year contract originally signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last May.

Manziel was acquired in a blockbuster in-season trade last year when the Alouettes sent Canadian defensive end Jamaal Westerman, receiver Chris Williams and two first round draft picks to the Ticats for the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner.

Montreal made the deal for Manziel to become the starting quarterback for the Als. He passed for 1,290 yards, five touchdowns versus seven interceptions and rushed 29 times for 215 yards ending the season 2-6 as Montreal’s starter. Manziel had not thrown a pass in a pro game since December 2015 and coming to Canada was his comeback to football.

“Just keep going. It’s easy to get discouraged, especially with how things have gone every single day. It’s just trying to win the day-by-day, the one day battle of trying to win that day to do good as good as you can,” Manziel said.

“It hasn’t always been easy – hit some speed bumps here and there – but I’m playing ball. I’m back to a position where I can do what I love doing and what a great year and opportunity it’s been for me.”