The NFL draft is days away and if the Philadelphia Eagles want Marcus Mariota, there is a chance they could trade Sam Bradford to the Cleveland Browns to try and get it done and this comes as Chip Kelly has already made some major trades this offseason and could look at dealing again after signing Tim Tebow.
The Eagles have been one of the most active teams in the NFL this offseason and after trading for Bradford, many felt that Chip Kelly would move up to get Marcus Mariota. According to Chris Mortensen at ESPN, the team is not likely to make a deal with Bradford this offseason, as he was not brought in as a "trade pawn". Moving up to get Mariota would likely take moving Bradford and some draft picks if it was to the number two spot.
The Browns have reportedly been interested in Bradford this offseason and Pro Football Talk reported before the draft that the team "may make a move for Mariota, or try again for Bradford." Mariota has been mentioned as a target, as the Browns have two first round picks this year and the most selections of any team in the draft. Pro Football Talk wrote about a potential three-way trade with the Eagles, Browns and Titans that would net Philly Mariota, Cleveland Bradford and the Titans a package of picks.
That deal is looking unlikely right now with the draft days away, but deadlines can often spur action. The number two pick is where teams are targeting Mariota and that means a trade with the Titans. The Chargers were mentioned as an option for Mariota with Philip Rivers as a trade chip, but that deal is also looking unlikely. There is a chance the Titans take Mariota, but if they stay at the pick, recent reports have Leonard Williams as the selection.
While the Eagles could make a major move, the more likely situation is that Kelly felt moving up to get Mariota would be impossible, so he made his next best trade in his eyes. While it was decent draft compensation to get Bradford, Kelly may see him as a value option, as he was previously a number one overall pick. If Bradford is healthy and plays at least 13-16 games for the Eagles, Kelly may end up looking like a genius.
Bradford was trending in the right direction two years ago when he suffered his first major knee injury and now he is coming back from a second. Michael Wilbon on ESPN made a great point a few weeks ago when talking about players coming back from injuries, speaking about Drew Brees. Wilbon said that after his shoulder issues, Nick Saban, the Dolphins and most of the NFL saw Brees as "done", and look what happened. There is a chance that Bradford could get through the next stretch of his career without any major injuries and if that happens, the Eagles will be the major beneficiaries of that if they keep him.
Kelly has been bold this offseason, but now that the draft is here, it looks like Bradford will be the starter as long as he is healthy.