National Football League

Wheels in motion for Browns-Bradford trade?

Published Apr. 27, 2015 2:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

The rumors of a Browns trade for Sam Bradford have been swirling ever since the reported offer of the 19th overall pick to St. Louis. The speculation hasn't died despite the reports of Bradford's unwillingness to sign an extension in Cleveland, nor Chip Kelly's denials that Bradford is being shopped by his new team in Philadelphia.

The latest whispers from NFL personnel meetings involve the Browns getting Bradford from the Eagles for the same 19th overall pick, which would set the stage for a larger move up the draft board by Kelly to snag Marcus Mariota, according to a report in NJ.com.

Kelly, who reportedly has eyes for his former college quarterback at Oregon, would then ship the 19th and 20th overall picks along with DT Fletcher Cox and LB Mychal Kendricks to Tennessee for the second pick.

If this really is Chip Kelly's master plan, the Buccaneers could ruin everything by taking Mariota first overall instead of Jameis Winston.

Browns GM Ray Farmer shot down a report last week that Manziel was shopped to the Eagles as part of a deal for Bradford. Cleveland hasn't had much luck drafting quarterbacks since returning to the league in 1999, so perhaps a trade for a former No. 1 overall pick is the way to go.

h/t: NJ.com