New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and Johnny Manziel were discussing a return to the league for the embattled quarterback during last month's Super Bowl, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday.
Payton also was interested in Manziel possibly joining the Saints in the future, according to the report. Manziel has struggled with substance abuse and legal issues since being selected by the Cleveland Browns with a first-round pick (22nd overall) in the 2014 draft.
Manziel, who is subject to suspension for a violation of the league's personal-conduct policy, has claimed to have rededicated himself to football and cleaned up his life.
Manziel has completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,675 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in two NFL seasons. Nicknamed "Johnny Football," Manziel has been out of football since being released by the Browns in March 2016.
From a Saints' perspective, quarterback Drew Brees is 38 years old and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. New Orleans' current quarterback group consists of Brees, Luke McCown and Garrett Grayson.
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