The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Canadian Football League say they have not had any contact or formal contract presented regarding quarterback Johnny Manziel, amid speculation that the former NFL quarterback could try to continue his playing career north of the border.

NFL writer Kevin Seifert reported on ESPN.com on Thursday that Manziel could "conceivably could work toward landing there either late this season or in 2017," as his negotiation rights are held by Hamilton. 

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By holding Manziel's negotiating rights, the Tiger-Cats will have the first chance to sign him if there's any interest. "Yes, it's true we have Johnny's CFL playing rights, but we have not spoken with, or had any conversations with Johnny, his family or any representative," general manager Eric Tillman told TSN on Thursday.

A league source told TSN Senior Correspondent Gary Lawless that the Manziel story is a hypothetical situation and if a team presented the league with a contract, it would look at it and make decisions on whether they need to do their due diligence.

The source added that nothing in this process has begun as they have not had a formal contract presented to them by the Tiger-Cats or anyone else. 

Such a review would be similar to what happened earlier this season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and troubled defensive end Greg Hardy. The CFL investigated the possibility of Hardy playing in Regina after the Riders considered adding him to their negotiation list, but ultimately decided against it.

Manziel, the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 Draft, was indicted on a misdemeanor charge of assault last spring and faces a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy which he will serve if he returns to the NFL. The Browns released him in March after two seasons.

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Seifert wrote that the CFL is "casting a wary but intrigued eye," on the possibility of Manziel in the fold.

"We try not to speculate on situations like that," commissioner Jeffrey Orridge explained to ESPN.com. "And I really can’t speculate too much on hypotheticals. But I can tell you that what’s paramount to us is ensuring the success of an athlete, while at the same time preserving and promoting the integrity of the league and the game."

Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, holds a 2-6 record in eight career NFL starts. He’s thrown for 1,675 yards, for seven touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 57 per cent of his passes.