Sources: Cowboys never had interest in Manziel despite owner’s infatuation with QB

The Dallas Cowboys had no interest in Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel even before his latest round of trouble, according to sources.

Manziel, who is expected to be released by the Browns as early as March 9, has been linked to the Cowboys largely because of owner Jerry Jones’ continued infatuation with him dating to the 2014 NFL Draft.

But the same people who convinced Jones to pass on Manziel and instead select guard Zack Martin with the 16th overall pick are still in place and have not wavered.

Team sources insist that Manziel was “never on their radar” even as they head into the off-season looking for a backup and future successor to quarterback Tony Romo.

That was even before events the past week when Manziel was the subject of a police investigation into a possible assault of his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley.

Late Friday, Crowley decided to cooperate and Dallas police are planning to reopen the investigation.

Manziel was facing a possible six-game NFL suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, but the league didn’t find enough evidence to punish him.

It’s the second time in two months that the NFL has investigated Manziel for a domestic incident. The first was after the Oct. 13 roadway ordeal with Crowley in Cleveland. No charges were filed then either. Again, the NFL did not find enough evidence to penalize him.

His agent Erik Burkhardt, however, has decided enough was enough for him. He dumped Manziel on Friday.

“It is with deep regret that, after several emotional and very person discussions with his family, his doctors, and my client himself, I have made the decision to terminate my professional relationship with Johnny Manziel,” Burkhardt said in a statement.

“Though I will remain a friend and Johnny supporter, and he knows I have worked tirelessly to arrange a number of professional options for him to continue to pursue, it has become painfully obvious that his future rests solely in his own hands. His family and I have gone to great lengths to outline the steps we feel he must take to get his life in order. Accountability is the foundation of any relationship, and without it the function of my work is counterproductive. I truly wish the best for Johnny and sincerely hope he can, and will, find the kind of peace and happiness he deserves.”

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Sources: Cowboys never had interest in Manziel despite owner’s infatuation with QB."