Please, before you murder my mentions on Twitter, let me explain myself. The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for being a pristine NFL franchise who demand that those associated and involved with the team live a life of law abiding, safe, strong moral values.

That may be the most beautiful thing about the organization: they represent the city of Pittsburgh in the most respectable way possible. However, over recent years, the Steelers franchise has chosen to take more than a few chances on guys who haven’t been exactly choir boys in the eyes of the public.

The team’s star running back, Le’Veon Bell, has been suspended twice in his young career and Pittsburgh has chosen to stick by him. Wide receiver, Martavis Bryant, has also faced suspension twice since entering the league in 2014 and the team has stuck by him. Martavis was even known to have questionable off-field issues coming out of college, and the Steelers still used a fourth round (a.k.a. valuable) pick on the special young talent.

Both decisions have proven to work out so far. Both men appear destined for big things with the Steelers in 2017. They have matured and haven’t had any problems since.

The team also stood by franchise quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, throughout the drama of his early career. I think it’s safe to say that was a smart call.

I know I don’t have to remind everyone about the “Mike Vick experience” in Pittsburgh. Say what you will about his severely declining play in 2015; he led the team to much-needed victories that put them in playoff contention. I would call that another “above the line” decision. (Sorry, one of my favorite Tomlin phrases)

The Steelers also know when enough is enough and a player needs to go. Guys like Chris Rainey, LaGarrette Blount, and even Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes were all let go when the time was necessary because of too many strikes against them, and how they were representing the city and the Steelers. (Which is hard for me to say because I remain a huge fan of Holmes.)

It’s hard to even compile a list of players let go on bad terms, meaning the Rooney family, Kevin Colbert, and Mike Tomlin are all pretty impressive judges of character. They have my blessing and support to sign whoever, whenever. I’m not here to beat that horse.

The group has not had as much success finding talent via trade, however. Most recently, they swung and missed on a 2014 first round pick, cornerback Justin Gilbert. Trading for Gilbert caught fans off guard. To this day, I’m okay with that move because it was classic “low-risk, high reward” decision. Cleveland chose Gilbert with a lot of talent left on the board so they believed he would be “the guy.” To buy low on a top-grade prospect a mere two years later was classic Steelers move.

Although a bust by that part of his career, Gilbert had only been in the league for two seasons. There was reason to think he still had the ability to do what he was picked to do. Unfortunately, Gilbert was a bad call to make, as he was cut early this year. The bright side is that the corner has little to no market, and remains unsigned. Thus indicating, it was time to cut ties.

Once again, the organization knew when they had to move on from a mistake.

Coincidentally, the star of this piece was also a 2014 first-round bust, drafted by the Cleveland Browns only a few spots after they took Gilbert. His name: Johnny Manziel.

I have to admit this hot take (or crazy take) was originally thought of as a joke by me. But the more I annoyed friends, coworkers, even fellow SCU team members, the more sense I accidentally started to make.

Pittsburgh has already solved their backup quarterback problem by signing “fan favorite” Landry Jones to a two-year deal; so no worries there. The team signed Zach Mettenberger to a deal at the conclusion of 2016’s preseason and he has never taken a snap as a Steeler. Mettenberger is extremely expendable and has already shown what he can do with a full season on tape as a starter with the Tennessee Titans. (Note: it wasn’t pretty.)

To say Zach’s roster spot is safe would be naive.

Although I totally believe Ben Roethlisberger is playing in 2017, a large portion of the fanbase has seemingly been asking about Ben’s “successor.” This topic of conversation sparks immense controversy as some want the team to strike now and find a quarterback if one falls in this year’s draft, even with Pittsburgh’s first pick (number 30). Others show no concern whatsoever, and want to stick to the “win now” mentality; draft players who can help Ben while he is still playing. And I’ve heard just about everything in between, including Sam Darnold. (The hot quarterback name for next year’s draft!)
I’m not picking a side there, but I am proposing an alternative: signing Manziel would be a classic low risk, high reward move. That is if he comes cheap; like league vet minimum cheap. I want to make it known I would not want Pittsburgh to sign the quarterback for anything more than a blip on their salary cap radar. Also, he has to be completely clean off the field.

With that being said, my points are as follows:

1. No 2017 draft pick spent (definitely not needed) on QB.
2. Low risk, high reward.
3. If he sucks and/or causes problems, you cut him.
4. Possible upgrade at the QB3 spot.
5. “Project” guy that would benefit from the Steelers culture.
6. Drew Brees was recently called the “perfect role model” for Manziel. How? Drew Brees has never been through any kind of controversy anywhere near like Manziel has. He tore his shoulder and got traded away to start for another team. Boo-hoo. Wouldn’t the perfect role model for Manziel be a quarterback who has been through controversy more than once in his career and can relate with Johnny because he’s been through the wood chipper himself? Then went on to be a team’s best quarterback in franchise history? And get married and have three kids? (Of course, I’m talking about Ben Roethlisberger.)
7. They. Signed. Michael. Vick. Before. Don’t. Tell. Me. No. Way.
8. Mike Tomlin gets through to guys, or he cuts them. (Looking at you, Lance Moore.)
9. Manziel was drafted by a team that was a dumpster fire. (I really admire what Hue Jackson and company are doing now, though, I must say.)
10. 2014 was not long ago if Steelers (and professional analysts alike) still thought Gilbert had it, why not Manziel?
11. He won’t have to see any regular season action, assuming he won the QB3 spot: Mettenberger rarely dressed during the 2016 calendar year.
12. It would be fun.
13. Motivation is there, as he would see the team who cut him twice a year. (Browns: still a division rival, regardless of a lack of success.)
14. What is the worst thing that could come of it? Besides the obvious salary cap hit (which I already said needs to be super duper cheap).
15. What is the best thing that could come of it? Right? Just saying.

If you don’t want Johnny Manziel here because of the mistakes he’s already made during his life, I respect that. Obviously, I understand that in some people’s eyes, Johnny has passed the point of no return and deserves nothing of the sorts of a “second chance.” (Which again, I respect and understand.)

The same goes for the fans who have seen enough of his play and just genuinely think his game cannot translate to the NFL. I myself, usually am a second chance kind of person. The Steelers organization SEEMS to be big on second chances when they feel a man is worthy.

So, when you really take a step back and look at it, does Johnny Manziel have too much baggage for the Steelers? Or does Johnny Manziel make too much sense for the Steelers?

Thank you for giving this take your time. I know it’s a stretch of the imagination, but one worth possibly considering.