When the NFL recently suspended free-agent quarterback Johnny Manziel for four games under the substance-abuse policy, a question arose regarding whether the suspension would void the remaining guaranteed money in Manziel’s rookie contract. But the question of whether guarantees can be voided after a player is cut assumes that the guarantees weren’t already voided before he was cut.
Per three different sources with knowledge of the situation, the Browns voided Manziel’s remaining guaranteed money before cutting him. No grievance was filed by the NFL Players Association in response to the voided guarantee, apparently because Cleveland’s case for voiding the guarantees was regarded as open and shut.
As PFT explained in March, the Browns had the power to void Manziel’s guaranteed money in various ways: (1) a suspension imposed by the league under any policy; (2) a suspension imposed by the team; (3) failure or refusal to report, practice, or play; or (4) leaving the team without prior written consent.
They quite possibly relied about his decision to skip town for Las Vegas at the end of the 2015 season, when he otherwise was required to report to the facility.
Whatever the reason, the decision was made, no fight was launched to keep the guarantees from voiding. As a result, Manziel won’t make $2.173 million over the next two years.
Or, to convert it to other forms of currency, 1.09 million Manziel jerseys from the discount rack.