 Manuel in 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| No. 3 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1990-03-19)March 19, 1990 (age 35) Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 237 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school | Bayside(Virginia Beach) | ||||||||||||||||
| College | Florida State (2008–2012) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2013: 1st round, 16th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
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Erik Rodriguez "EJ"Manuel Jr.[1] (born March 19, 1990) is an American former professionalfootball player who was aquarterback in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theFlorida State Seminoles, leading them to anAtlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship andOrange Bowl win as a senior. Manuel was selected by theBuffalo Bills in the first round of the2013 NFL draft.
Drafted by the Bills to be their franchise quarterback, Manuel suffered several injuries and saw his on-the-field performance struggle. After starting 10 games while throwing for 1,972 yards and 11touchdowns as a rookie, Manuel made just a combined seven starts and threw eight touchdowns over the next three seasons, remaining behindKyle Orton andTyrod Taylor on the depth chart. After leaving the Bills, he spent one year with theOakland Raiders and sat out the 2018 season. Manuel signed with theKansas City Chiefs in the 2019 offseason, but retired before the start of the preseason.
Manuel was born inVirginia Beach, Virginia, on March 19, 1990. He attendedBayside High School Virginia Beach, where he played for the Bayside Marlinshigh school football team.[2] During his time with the Marlins, Manuel recorded nearly 7,400 yards and 68 touchdowns.[3] He was considered a five-star recruit by Scout,[3] a four-star recruit by Rivals.[4] He was an All-American quarterback in high school.[5]
Manuel enrolled inFlorida State University, where he played for coachBobby Bowden and coachJimbo Fisher'sFlorida State Seminoles football teams from 2008 to 2012.[6] While he was a student, he joined thePi Kappa Alpha fraternity.[7] Manuel became the second collegiate quarterback to win four straight bowl games, the first beingPat White of West Virginia (2005–2008).
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Manuel took over for an injuredChristian Ponder as the 4–5Seminoles were in danger of finishing with a losing record for the first time sinceBobby Bowden took over the program. His first start was an away game againstWake Forest. He completed 15-of-20 passes for 220 yards with one touchdown, leading the Seminoles to a 41–28 win over Wake Forest, who at the time had won three games in a row against Florida State.[8] Manuel struggled in his second game againstMaryland but still managed to pull out a win, making FSU bowl-eligible.[9] Manuel's struggles continued against the dominatingFlorida Gators, and the mobile quarterback was not able to get into a rhythm as Florida State lost, 37–10.[10]
Florida State entered theGator Bowl 6–6 and in serious danger of letting legendary coach Bobby Bowden leave with a losing record. Manuel led Florida State to a 33–21 victory over theWest Virginia Mountaineers and won the Gator Bowl MVP honors.[11][12]
Manuel started twice in the 2010 season in relief of Christian Ponder, who battled a nagging forearm injury. In his first start againstClemson, he picked up 71 yards on 15 carries.[13] He also led the Seminoles to a victory in the2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl againstSouth Carolina in relief of Christian Ponder, who was injured in the second quarter of the game.[14]
In the 2011 season, Manuel played in every game besides the loss atClemson after injuring his shoulder in a loss againstOklahoma the previous week.[15] He finished the season with 2,666 yards passing on a 65% completion rate. He also finished with 18 passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, and eight interceptions.[16] He helped lead the Seminoles to a comeback win against theNotre Dame Fighting Irish in theChamps Sports Bowl by throwing for 249 yards and two touchdowns.[17]
In the 2012 season, Manuel led the Seminoles to numerous wins over ACC rivals, an ACC Championship, and anOrange Bowl win againstNorthern Illinois for a 12–2 record in his senior season.[18]
Manuel led the Seminoles to a 12-win season for just the third time in program history[19] and the first time since their dominant stretch in the 1990s. During his senior season, he threw for the second most yards in team history with 3,392, trailing onlyChris Weinke'sHeisman Trophy winning season, in which Weinke threw for 4,167 yards.[20] Manuel went 25–6 as a starter, won the first BCS bowl for Florida State since 2000, won five out of six games against intrastate rivals Miami and Florida,[19] and he led the offense to its most prolific season in team history, cleanly surpassing the 1999 National Championship squad with 6,591 yards.[21]
| Florida State Seminoles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Passing | Rushing | ||||||||||||
| Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||||
| 2009 | 69 | 106 | 65.1 | 817 | 2 | 6 | 124.7 | 44 | 196 | 4.5 | 2 | |||
| 2010 | 65 | 93 | 69.9 | 861 | 4 | 4 | 153.3 | 41 | 170 | 4.1 | 1 | |||
| 2011 | 203 | 311 | 65.3 | 2,666 | 18 | 8 | 151.2 | 110 | 151 | 1.4 | 4 | |||
| 2012 | 263 | 387 | 68.0 | 3,392 | 23 | 10 | 156.0 | 103 | 310 | 3.0 | 4 | |||
| Total | 600 | 897 | 66.9 | 7,736 | 47 | 28 | 150.4 | 298 | 827 | 2.8 | 11 | |||
NFL.com analystBucky Brooks projected him as a top five quarterback heading into the 2013 Draft and compared him toJosh Freeman.[22] While Manuel possessed the blue-chip physical characteristics, work ethic, and leadership qualities necessary to be successful at the NFL level, he was faulted for somewhat inconsistent play at times during his college career.[22]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft4+5⁄8 in (1.95 m) | 237 lb (108 kg) | 35 in (0.89 m) | 10+3⁄8 in (0.26 m) | 4.65 s | 1.67 s | 2.75 s | 4.21 s | 7.08 s | 34.0 in (0.86 m) | 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) | ||
| All values fromNFL Combine[23][24] | ||||||||||||
Manuel was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round with the 16th overall pick in the2013 NFL draft.[25] He was the only quarterback taken in the first round of the draft, of which was seen as especially thin at quarterback; the Bills, who originally drafted eighth and had a great need for a quarterback, even traded down to obtain more picks.[26]
On June 14, 2013, Manuel signed a four-year contract with theBuffalo Bills.[27] The deal was worth a fully guaranteed $8.88 million, including a signing bonus of $4.85 million evenly spaced out annually ($1.2 million) over the next four years. His salary in 2013 was $1.6 million, $2.0 million in 2014, $2.4 million in 2015, and $2.8 million in 2016.[28]
Manuel underwent an operation on his knee to remove fluid buildup after the second game of the preseason. At the time, it was unsure if he would be ready to start the season-opener.[29] On September 4, head coachDoug Marrone announced at the team meeting that Manuel was confirmed to be the starter for Week 1. In the season opener, Manuel completed his first NFL career touchdown, to fellow rookieRobert Woods, on an 18-yard completion.[30] On September 15, Manuel engineered his first fourth-quarter comeback. He led a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown march to bring his team back from a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter, with seconds left in the game. The Bills went on to win in a Week 2 game against theCarolina Panthers by a score of 24–23.[31] Manuel was voted the "Pepsi Next NFL Rookie of the Week" for his performance.[32]
On October 3, during the third quarter against theCleveland Browns, Manuel sprained his rightlateral collateral ligament, causing him to miss the next five weeks of his rookie season.[33] Manuel had an up-and-down first year, but was given a vote of confidence by coach Marrone as he was announced to be the starting quarterback for the 2014 season.[34][35] Manuel finished his rookie year with 1,972 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions to go along with 53 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games and starts.[36]
On September 28, 2014, in a game against theHouston Texans, one of Manuel's passes was intercepted by All-Pro defensive endJ. J. Watt and returned 80 yards for a touchdown.[37] The next day, Manuel was benched in favor of veteran quarterbackKyle Orton after starting the first four games of the 2014 season and bringing the Bills to a 2–2 record.[38]
Manuel finished his second professional season with 838 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions to go along with 16 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown in five games and four starts.[39] Orton would win seven of the next 12 games, and the Bills finished the season with a 9–7 record, the first time they had posted a winning record since2004.[40]
After posting the franchise's first winning record in a decade, Orton retired and Marrone opted out of the rest of his contract. The Bills then hired former division rivalRex Ryan as head coach. Manuel competed with free agent acquisitionTyrod Taylor and trade acquisitionMatt Cassel for the starting quarterback job.[41] During mini-camp, Manuel struggled to compete for the starting job and was listed as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart. Manuel performed well in the third preseason game, completing nearly all of his passes, showing improved accuracy. On August 31, 2015, coach Rex Ryan announced that Manuel and Cassel had lost the starting job to Taylor.[42]
Manuel made his first start in over a year in Week 6 against the undefeatedCincinnati Bengals in place of an injured Tyrod Taylor, who suffered an MCL injury the previous week.[43] On the first drive of the game for the Bills, Manuel led the Bills 80 yards down the field for a touchdown. Manuel finished the 34–21 loss completing 28-of-42 passes for 263 yards, a touchdown, and an interception to go along with a rushing touchdown.[44]
Against theJacksonville Jaguars on October 25 inLondon, Manuel threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns but had three costly turnovers, two of which were returned directly for scores in the second quarter. He rallied the Bills from 24 points down to take the lead in the fourth quarter. However, Jacksonville regained the lead with aBlake Bortles touchdown pass to wide receiverAllen Hurns, sealing the 34–31 victory as the Bills were unable to respond.[45] With the loss, Manuel became the first quarterback in NFL history to lose a game in three countries (United States, Canada, and England).[46]
Manuel finished the 2015 season with 561 passing yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions to go along with 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown in seven games and two starts.[47]
On May 2, 2016, it was announced that the Bills declined to exercise Manuel's fifth-year option for the 2017 season.[48]
Manuel saw spot duty through the first part of the season, usually as parts oftrick plays. With the Bills being out of playoff contention, he started in the regular season finale due toTyrod Taylor being inactive. Manuel completed nine of 20 passes for 86 yards before being benched for rookie quarterbackCardale Jones to start the fourth quarter.[49]
Manuel finished the 2016 season with 131 passing yards and eight carries for 22 yards in six games and one start.[50]
On March 20, 2017, Manuel signed a one-year contract with theOakland Raiders.[51]
During a Week 4 16–10 road loss to theDenver Broncos, starterDerek Carr suffered a back injury in the third quarter and was relieved by Manuel, who completed 11 of 17 passes for 106 yards and an interception.[52] Due to Carr's injury, Manuel started the following week against theBaltimore Ravens, completing 13 of 26 passes for 159 yards in the 30–17 loss.[53] With the Raiders' Week 11 loss to theNew England Patriots inMexico City, Manuel became the first quarterback in NFL history to be on a team that would lose a game in four different countries (United States, Canada, England, and Mexico).[54]
Manuel finished the 2017 season with 265 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception to go along with two carries for 15 yards in two games and one start.[55]
On March 22, 2018, Manuel re-signed with the Raiders.[56] He was released on September 1.[57]
On February 22, 2019, Manuel was signed by theKansas City Chiefs.[58]
On May 13, 2019, Manuel announced his retirement.[59] A few weeks later, Manuel announced that he would be joining theACC Network as a college football analyst.[60]
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2013 | BUF | 10 | 10 | 180 | 306 | 58.8 | 1,972 | 6.4 | 11 | 9 | 77.7 | 53 | 186 | 3.5 | 2 |
| 2014 | BUF | 5 | 4 | 76 | 131 | 58.0 | 838 | 6.4 | 5 | 3 | 80.3 | 16 | 52 | 3.3 | 1 |
| 2015 | BUF | 7 | 2 | 52 | 84 | 61.9 | 561 | 6.7 | 3 | 3 | 78.5 | 15 | 59 | 3.9 | 1 |
| 2016 | BUF | 6 | 1 | 11 | 26 | 42.3 | 131 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 58.3 | 8 | 22 | 2.8 | 0 |
| 2017 | OAK | 2 | 1 | 24 | 43 | 55.8 | 265 | 6.2 | 1 | 1 | 72.3 | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 0 |
| Career | 30 | 18 | 343 | 590 | 58.1 | 3,767 | 6.4 | 20 | 16 | 77.5 | 96 | 339 | 3.5 | 4 | |
It was reported that Manuel would be offering stock in his future earnings via a venture withFantex, Inc. as part of a new financial instrument being sold by Fantex. He planned to offer a 10% share of all future earnings from his brand to Fantex, which would then turn around and divide it into shares of a publicly tradedtracking stock.[62]
In July 2014, the Manuel/Fantex stock offering was completed. 523,700 shares were sold, valued at $10 per share.[62]
