NFL Trade Rumors: Philadelphia Eagles to Trade Sam Bradford to Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers to Ship Philip Rivers?
With the 2015 NFL Draft looming, trade rumors across the league are swirling around multiple teams and players.
By far the busiest team this offseason has been the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Chip Kelly has been stealing offseason headlines with head-scratching decisions, acquiring great players, and signing one, Tim Tebow. The additions of Byron Maxwell and DeMarco Murray will certainly help, but can the Eagles survive without Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy? The Eagles also traded for Sam Bradford this offseason.
According to multiple reports, the Eagles are looking to trade Bradford, despite just acquiring him, in hopes of landing former Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota. Everyone knows Mariota is the player Kelly wants because of the Oregon connection, and Mariota runs a spread option offense very effectively. Mariota threw zero passes in his college career when under center, but Kelly would be the coach who knows how to use him in the NFL.
So, is this likely?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will more than likely select Jameis Winston No. 1 overall, thus leaving Mariota as the best quarterback left in the draft. If the Eagles can convince the Browns to trade for Bradford for a first round selection, they would move up to the No. 12 pick in the upcoming draft. The Eagles currently pick No. 20. It's also important to note that the Browns have another first round pick at No. 19, so they may be willing to trade one away.
The issue here is Bradford, and his value. Bradford did win Offensive Rookie of the Year back in 2010, but he has regressed ever since. Health is by far the biggest concern. Bradford has torn his ACL in each of the last two seasons, thus leaving a lot of doubt. The St. Louis Rams knew Bradford wasn't reliable enough to be the starting quarterback, so they simply traded him away. Another issue here for the Eagles is money. Bradford has just one year remaining on his contract in which he carries a $12.98 million cap hit.
Is Bradford worth that amount? History says no. Even if Bradford can stay healthy and play a full season for the Browns, he may choose to walk as a free agent after next season. As intriguing as this trade would be, it just doesn't look like any team will take a near $13 million cap for a quarterback coming off two torn ACL injuries.
The other big name floating around in trade rumors at the moment is San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers is a top 10 quarterback in the league today having thrown for 31 touchdowns last season, and over 4,000 yards in six of the last seven years. As good as Rivers has performed on the field, the Chargers have missed the playoffs four of the last five years, and Rivers only has one year remaining on his contract.
As crazy as trading Rivers away may seem, getting value for an aging quarterback (who threw 18 interceptions last season) while you still can may be wise. Rumors have been swirling that the Chargers could trade up for the No. 2 pick with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans haven't had a true reliable franchise quarterback in quite some time, Steve McNair being the last one. Many scouts don't believe the Titans are "sold" on Mariota, and they want a proven veteran quarterback.
Rivers would certainly help, but would the Chargers be willing to trade their franchise quarterback away? Maybe, maybe not. If the Chargers believe they can still win, then keeping Rivers is the right decision.
And then, there's Adrian Peterson. The Minnesota Vikings running back has been involved in more trade rumors than any other player this offseason. Peterson missed nearly all of last season after his off the field incident involving his son. The Dallas Cowboys are the frontrunners to land Peterson, but it will cost them a lot.
Peterson still has three years remaining on his contract in which he counts $47.4 million against the salary cap. As good as Peterson is, investing that type of money into an aging running back could be a big mistake. It looks like Peterson will finish out his contract with the Vikings.
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