The Browns quarterback situation was a bit tumultuous in 2014, but it was expected to clear up in 2015. That may no longer be the case, as Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole says the organization will “take a real run” at Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (via Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com):
“Bradford, whether they trade for him or whether he gets cut, that’s a guy at the top of their list,” Cole said (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). “Bradford is the guy that most people are saying if the Browns have a chance to get him, especially with a relatively cheap trade, say a second-round pick, maybe a third-round, that they’ll take a real run at him.”
The interest in Bradford is curious, especially considering the team’s investment in first-round pick Johnny Manziel only last year. Of course, Johnny Football’s rookie campaign didn’t go as well as many had hoped, but despite the 22-year-old entering a rehab program, it sounded like the organization was still committed to their young quarterback. Manziel finished his rookie season with 175 and two interceptions. He also ran for 29 yards and a touchdown on nine attempts.
Of course, the team’s pursuit of Bradford would be fruitless if the Rams refuse to give up the 27-year-old. Head coach Jeff Fisher stressed yesterday that the organization plans to keep Bradford, and general manager Les Snead indicated that they’d rather add quarterbacks than subtract them.
“I don’t think that’s the answer,” he told Cabot. “I think the answer is providing insurance in case we do go through more bad luck. Let’s rehab (Bradford). And then when he’s healthy, let’s let him go compete. And I think the guy’s got a chance to be a heck of a starting quarterback. Let’s insure the position. And that just gives us options in case we do have bad luck.”
Following an injury-ravaged 2013 season, Bradford tore his ACL in the Rams third preseason game this past season. In his last full season in 2012, he passed for 3,702 yards, 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.