Reports: Browns offered No. 19 pick for Bradford

Northeast Ohio Media Group

CLEVELAND

The Browns apparently really wanted quarterback Sam Bradford — and perhaps still do.

NFL Network’s Charley Casserly reported last week on the Michael Kay Show and again Monday on NFL AM that the Browns offered a first-round pick for the former No. 1 overall pick in 2010.

The pick the Browns offered was No. 19 overall, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan. They also have No. 12.

But Casserly, in his NFL AM interview, admitted he didn’t know if the Browns offered the first-rounder to St. Louis, or to Philadelphia after the Eagles acquired Bradford in a trade last Tuesday for quarterback Nick Foles and a swap of draft picks.

Eagles coach Chip Kelly revealed during a press conference on Wednesday that he received an offer that morning of a first-round pick for Bradford, and refused to entertain it. He didn’t say which team it was, but the Browns were the first club that came to mind for many.

“I was told by somebody I felt was a very reliable source that Cleveland did offer a first-round pick for Sam Bradford,’’ Casserly told NFL AM. “I don’t know if it was to Philadelphia or St. Louis, either one. And to me, I feel comfortable about the source on this.’’

It’s conceivable of course, that the Browns initially offered the first-rounder to St. Louis and then to the Eagles.

Kelly went on during his press conference to quell speculation that he picked up the oft-injured but talented quarterback as trade ammunition to somehow move up and draft his former Oregon pupil Marcus Mariota. The Eagles have the No. 20 pick in the draft.

“Let’s dispel this now,’’ said Kelly. “I think this stuff is crazy. ... I think Marcus is the best quarterback in the draft. (But) we will never mortgage our future to go all the way up to get someone like that, because we have too many other problems to take care of.’’

Kelly insisted that Bradford and Mark Sanchez, whom the Eagles re-signed last week, are his quarterbacks.

“We didn’t bring Sam in here to be a chip (for another player). I’m the only Chip here,’’ Kelly said.

The Browns might try to trade up for Mariota or take him at No. 12 if he should happen to fall that far, which is highly unlikely despite a less than stellar Pro Day last week. The session was run by Browns quarterbacks coach Kevin O’Connell, who tutored Mariota for at least six weeks leading up to the NFL combine last month.

In addition to Casserly’s report, Rams coach Jeff Fisher told PFT Live last week that a team offered him a late first-round pick for Bradford but that the club would’ve been left without a starting quarterback. Instead, the Rams jumped at the chance to swap him for Foles, their anticipated new starter.