The Cleveland Browns were interested in Sam Bradford once, could they be a second time? The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Bradford in a trade that surprised many. It was assumed the quarterback's future in St. Louis was up in the air, but no one predicted the Eagles as his potential landing spot. In order to combat the questions of doubt from the media, head coach Chip Kelly disclosed that after the trade another team called him up offering a first-round pick for Bradford. After it was confirmed to be the Browns, could they still make the deal?
According to NFL Media's Charley Casserly, the Browns were the team that offered the Eagles a first-round draft pick for Bradford. Philadelphia gave up a fifth-round draft pick in 2015, a second-round draft pick in 2016 plus Nick Foles in the deal for the former Rams quarterback and Cleveland hoped maybe they would want picks back after the trade. The Browns currently have a quarterback rotation of Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel, both of which inspire very little confidence for a winning season. Could a trade for Bradford still be an option?
According to Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns should offer their No. 19 pick for Bradford. Most believe Kelly acquired Bradford to potentially trade him in hopes of getting Marcus Mariota in the draft. No matter what Kelly says, he is interested in a reunion with his former college quarterback. Bradford makes no sense for the Eagles' offense. His knee issues do not pair well with a high-powered unit. Mariota makes the most sense for Kelly.
The Browns have the No. 12 and 19 pick in the draft. Either one could be given to the Eagles for Bradford. Philadelphia could then move up from there. However, this deal really hinges on a lot of "ifs" that might not happen. Mariota first has to drop past No. 2 in the draft. He then likely has to fall past Washington, New York and Chicago to at least No. 8. The chances are slim to none that takes place, but Teddy Bridgewater proved last year that anyone is capable of falling.
No one really knows what Kelly's intentions are with Bradford. He would make sense in Cleveland given McCown is not a long-term option and Manziel has a question mark above his head. Rolling the dice on Bradford could pay off. Maybe Kelly sees Bradford as the best starting option in 2015. No one else does, but Kelly made the deal for a reason. Now the Browns must determine if he is worth trying to grab as well.
