CFL coach on Johnny Manziel: 'He should be playing in the National Football League'

Hamilton Tiger-Cats coach June Jones believes quarterback Johnny Manziel should be playing in the NFL — and will be, relatively soon.

"I've been pleasantly surprised the last three weeks what a good teammate he is, how smart he is, how he sees the game,'' Jones told ESPN in a story published Thursday. "He should be playing in the National Football League and I believe he will when he gets through with us.''

Manziel, 25, signed with the Canadian Football League team earlier this summer after playing in The Spring League, a developmental league with a brief season. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner is aiming to return to the NFL after being released by the Cleveland Browns following the 2015 season. He's said he is now sober and putting a priority on maintaining his mental health.

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Manziel remains behind incumbent starter Jeremiah Masoli on the Tiger-Cats' depth chart so far this season, but Jones, who has previously worked as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and then-San Diego Chargers, said Manziel is maturing every day.

"It'll take two years" to get back to the NFL, Jones told ESPN. "(NFL executives and coaches) are waiting to see that he's taken care of his off-the-field problems.''

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.