Johnny Manziel Reportedly Targeting April Release from Rehab to Return to Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel checked into a rehab facility on January 28 to deal with off-field issues. He is reportedly readying to exit in early April after more than two months of treatment.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com cited a source who indicates Manziel is seeking to leave rehab toward the beginning of next month.

During the NFL owners meeting, Browns general manger Ray Farmer weighed in on whether Manziel would return to the team in time for the start of offseason workouts on April 20.

"I don't think it's in doubt," said Farmer, via Fowler (sic). "Again, I'm not the point person in that. So I would defer to those kind of controlling his care and let them decide what that looks likes."

Sources also tell Fowler that Manziel is "doing great" in treatment, which is in line with what Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman has been hearing.

Manziel struggled in limited action for the Browns as a rookie first-round pick in 2014. The former Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winner completed 18 of 35 passes for 175 yards and two interceptions to go with nine carries, 29 yards rushing and a score over five appearances.

But this offseason, the Browns have hardly addressed their perpetual gaping hole at quarterback. Veteran backups Josh McCown and Thaddeus Lewis have been brought in to bolster Cleveland's QB depth chart.

This personnel strategy from Farmer suggests the Browns are holding out hope that Manziel's decision to seek help away from the gridiron translates to success on an NFL field. A report from Northeast Ohio Media Group's Mary Kay Cabot implies that Manziel has taken his treatment seriously.

Away from the white-hot spotlight that's followed him since his college days, perhaps Manziel has found some sort of serenity. Just getting out of the public eye and having time to avoid others monitoring his every move could work wonders for his professional life.

Until Cleveland finds a surefire solution under center, though, Manziel likely won't be handed anything. The Browns may yet bring in another quarterback through the draft.

A new offense under first-time play-caller John DeFilippo means Manziel will have to dive into a new playbook, grasp it and prove he can lead the Browns if he's meant to have any shot at starting in 2015 and beyond.

Initial indications are Manziel is trending in the right direction, as Browns head coach Mike Pettine noted in the Cabot report. The 22-year-old signal-caller still has ample time to right the ship in what's been a rocky start to his NFL career.