Browns former QB Johnny Manziel reveals a big Texas A&M regret

Johnny Manziel — scratch that, Johnny Football — was made for the NIL era.

But the legendary Texas A&M quarterback, who was a first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns, came a decade too early.

Manziel revealed recently that things would've been much different for him if he could've gotten paid millions for his name, image and likeness. He would've stayed in college longer.

“I think no matter what, being in the NIL era, if that would have been the equivalent of 2013, I would have stayed no matter what,” Manziel told Greg McElroy. “Just because a couple million bucks in College Station goes a really, really long way. And, you go to the NFL, you’re a first round pick you sign for $10 million or whatever it is, that’s the two years that I had remaining at Texas A&M, to be able to make through NIL. So I think, for me, when I think back about it now, I definitely, if there would have been any real money involved, I definitely would have stayed no matter what.”

Manziel summed it up like this: "I would've taken a pay cut had I gone to the NFL."

MORE: How good was LeBron at football? NBA legend would have been 'one of the best' in NFL

He did once have to sit out briefly at Texas A&M after an investigation of whether he had taken money to sign autographs. But that was chump change and a tame situation relative to the multi-million-dollar industry that NIL has become at every school.

“You can be a four-year starter in the NIL world and set yourself up really, really nice whether you go to the next level or not,” Manziel told McElroy.

Manziel's NFL career didn't go the way he would've hoped, and he's battled troubles off the field.

But it certainly would've been quite magical to see Johnny Football in college for a longer time to maximize on the most brilliant part of his football life.

MORE NFL NEWS:

• 49ers QB Brock Purdy is willing to go to prison to win a Super Bowl
• Xavier Worthy hints at adding a new position for Chiefs
• Joe Burrow has the wildest fascination with fossils
• Falcons QB Kirk Cousins can earn $8 million in a wild scenario
• J.J. McCarthy facing increased pressure in Minnesota
• Browns star gives consideration to retirement amid Cleveland struggles