Former Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel was released by the Canadian Football League last month and the move instantly opened up speculation that Manziel would return to the states and play in either the Alliance of American Football or the XFL. The San Antonio Commanders own Manziel's rights but they haven't publicly stated whether or not if they will sign Manziel to a contract or allow him go to another team in the league. Current Commanders general manager, Fox commentator, and former Dallas Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston discussed Manziel's situation on Thursday afternoon following the Commanders practice.

"Yeah, I think we're going to get some clarity on that, if not late this week, then early next week," Johnston said in an interview. "All personnel stuff, the business week will terminate on Tuesday evening, so I would expect some resolution on what the league has decided in time for movement prior to business being closed on Tuesday evening. So if it doesn't happen late this week, then I would expect it to happen very quickly early next week."

It should be noted that Manziel played his high school ball in Kerrville.

Greg Luca tweeted on Wednesday that the Alliance of American Football could serve as something of a landing spot for Manziel per former NFL executive and AAF co-founder Bill Polian. Luca tweeted "AAF co-founder Bill Polian on the possibility of Manziel signing with the Alliance: "We had what I would characterize as feelers from people close to him. We are in the process of going through our due diligence. That’s, I would say, probably 50 percent done."

What's interesting is that Polian was at Manziel's Pro Day at Texas A&M in 2014 as an analyst for ESPN. He talked to reporters after the event and noted that whoever selected Manziel would have to adjust to him and not the other way around from a football standpoint. He turned out to be prophetic to an extent as Manziel lasted just two seasons in the league after being a first round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd selection of the NFL Draft. Manziel struggled on the field to recreate the same magic he displayed as a Heisman Trophy winner and finalist in his two seasons of playing football with the Aggies. In Aggieland, Manziel worked in the spread which played to his strengths which included his vision and mobility. In the league, he worked in a version of the West Coast offense which tended to tie him down in the pocket and asked him to throw timing routes as opposed to improving on the move. It didn't help that Manziel had off the field issues which resulted in his eventual release by the Browns and then a stint in a four team spring league.

This doesn't mean that it's a done deal that Manziel lands in the AAF although he would certainly bring attention to the league much like he did the CFL in his short stint there. Manziel's time in the league was welcome from a public relations standpoint as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats had ESPN and several other outlets at a CFL training camp which is a rarity. However, Manziel never had a chance to win the starting job in Hamilton with only a couple of pre season game appearances and never appeared in a regular season game for them. He was eventually traded to Montreal Alouettes where he appeared in eight contests. Manziel posted a 64.5 percent completion rate, throwing for 1,290 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.