When Vince McMahon first announced that the XFL would be coming back, many thought that it would be a perfect place for former NFL player Johnny Manziel. But when McMahon announced that players with a history of “criminality” wouldn’t be eligible to play in the league, it diminished those chances. However, it seems as if the league might be backing off of that thought.

According to a report from TMZ, the XFL hasn’t shut the door on the possibility of signing the quarterback. Making a visit to the PFT PM podcast this week, XFL commissioner Oliver Luck hinted that it could happen.

“If he is able to meet our standards and if our coaches think he’s one of the top quarterbacks out there that can help us,” Luck said … “Certainly we have no reason not to believe he couldn’t be in the mix.”

While Manziel did have a history of criminality associated with him, he recently cut a deal where he agreed to take anger management courses in exchange for the misdemeanor assault charges against him to be dropped. Still, Luck says that Manziel making it into the XFL will be on a team-by-team basis, and the coaches will have to decide if he’s good enough.

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Reggie Bush, USC football, Heisman, Trojans, Johnny Manziel, Johnny Manziel and Reggie Bush with Heisman Trophy logo in the background

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The Heisman Trophy, with Reggie Bush on the right, and Johnny Manziel on the left.

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“But, again it’s really up to our coaches in terms of the quarterbacks they wanna take a look at.”

Of course, only time will tell if Manziel is willing to make the jump into the XFL. After playing a few AAF games and having the league fold, Manziel is likely still looking for opportunities to play, with the end goal likely to try and make one last attempt in the NFL.