Johnny Manziel has made it clear that he's desperate to return to the NFL for the 2018 season. The former Cleveland Browns quarterback was drafted as the 22nd overall pick in 2014 but never lived up to his high expectations. Coming out of college, "Johnny Football" was tipped to become one of the league's most promising assets. He broke multiple records while playing for Texas A&M and Manziel also became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy back in 2012. However, he never got going at the Browns and after a number of issues both on and off the field, the quarterback was released after the 2015 season. During two years with Cleveland, Manziel only made 15 appearances and started just eight games. He did though, throw seven touchdowns. NFL fans saw small glimpses of the quarterback's threat - but he was held back by injury and his own behaviour. And after almost two years out of the game, Manziel began working on a return to professional football.Towards the end of 2017, he had trials in the Canadian Football League but never officially joined any team. Instead, Manziel started to gain attention from NFL teams after appearing at a number of pro days. Notably, he threw to 2018 draft prospects as A&M's quarterback at the end of March. As part of his training, the now 25-year-old also signed up to play in The Spring League, which is a two-week, non-paying, developmental event. And on Saturday, he featured in his first game for almost two and a half years.Things started well, as he completed his first seven passes and even threw a touchdown - for the first time in over 800 days. Check out the moment below. 

Once again, Manziel showed flashes of brilliance and even made a number of plays on the run. By the end of the game, he had thrown 82 yards, completing 9 out of 15 attempts. 

Following the game, "Johnny Football" said he was hoping that NFL teams would take note of certain characteristics he's showing - some that may not have been present in the past. 

“The message that I’m sending is showing up every day and going to meetings and being engaged in everything that is going on during practice and in the game," he said, per ESPN.

"I can’t control what is going on [with NFL teams’ interest], and I don’t know what’s going on in NFL meetings.

"If that’s the case if the NFL is something that pops up, cool. If not, I’m going to work until I get back there.”