Johnny Manziel will be approved to sign contract with Canadian Football League team

Johnny Manziel is one step closer to returning to pro football.

The Canadian Football League announced Thursday that it will approve a contract for the troubled former Heisman Trophy winner to play in 2018.

“Since last summer, the Canadian Football League has been engaged in a thorough process to determine the eligibility of Johnny Manziel,” the league said in a statement. “This process has been conducted with the cooperation of Mr. Manziel and independent of the team which currently holds his CFL rights, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“It has included an ongoing assessment by an independent expert on the issue of violence against women, a review by legal counsel, and an in-person interview of Mr. Manziel conducted by the Commissioner. As well, Mr. Manziel has been required to meet a number of conditions set by the league.

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“As a result of this process, the Commissioner (Randy Ambrosie) has now informed Mr. Manziel and the Tiger-Cats he is prepared to approve a contract for Mr. Manziel should one be negotiated. The process that led to this decision does, however, continue. Mr. Manziel has been informed he must continue to meet a number of conditions in order to remain eligible.”

Manziel worked out for the Tiger-Cats in August but failed to convince the franchise he was ready to quarterback another team. A source had told TSN that Manziel came with “too many red flags” related to his history of frequent partying and drinking, as well as a domestic violence charge that was dismissed last month.

After working out for Hamilton, Manziel activated the team’s 10-day window, which the CFL extended for further evaluation. In September, he met with Ambrosie to discuss what he needed to accomplish to play in the CFL.

After ruling Manziel ineligible for the 2017 season, the league announced that Hamilton would hold his rights until Nov. 30 before extending again into January.

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Manziel was drafted by the Browns with the 22nd pick in the 2014 NFL draft, spending two seasons in Cleveland before the team cut him due to poor play and off-field issues. He went 2-6 as a starter with 1,675 passing yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.