The free agent market for quarterbacks is slim this offseason. Mark Sanchez and Brian Hoyer highlight the group while Ryan Mallett is still an unkown and Michael Vick's health and age hold him back. That leaves a lot of teams hoping the draft class pans out or a trade will become a priority. The New York Jets are a team in need of a quarterback as not one person is currently endorsing the future of Geno Smith. While many believe the Jets will draft Marcus Mariota at No. 6, could a trade for Sam Bradford be in the works?
At this point, the Jets have to merely cross their fingers that Mariota falls into their laps. According to ESPN Draft Expect Todd McShay, the former Oregon star will not be taken No. 1 overall and instead fall to New York. The chances are that happening are slim. Most believe Mariota is going No. 1 to Tampa Bay while Jameis Winston could be taken at No. 2 to the Tennessee Titans. That the leaves the Jets to either put their faith in someone like Brett Hundley or look elsewhere for quarterback options.
According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, several teams are eyeing a trade for Sam Bradford over taking a rookie in the draft. It is assumed the St. Louis Rams will try and move the quarterback this offseason after his 2014 season ended early with an ACL tear. That will be hard to do unless Bradford starts to prove he is healthy, but regardless Cole says teams are interested in the former No. 1 overall pick.
Bradford is not an easy trade. The quarterback is owed $13 million this coming season and a number of teams will not look to pick that up. However, if healthy Bradford can be a talent and the Rams know it. Cole believes teams like the idea of getting Bradford over a rookie because they have seen what the quarterback can do and someone looking to back to success quickly will prefer someone with experience in the league.
The Jets do not necessarily need a super star just yet. They could easily acquire Bradford for the duration of his contract and see how he pans out while Smith develops. They could also try for a Jay Cutler trade, but that would be even more expensive. With a Sanchez, New York reunion unlikely, the Jets will have to get creative on quarterback options.
