The Cleveland Browns have been revealed as the 'mystery team' that attempted to snare Sam Bradford from the St. Louis Rams before the quarterback was eventually shipped to the Philadelphia Eagles for Nick Foles last week, former NFL GM Charley Casserly disclosed in his appearance on the Michael Kay Show on Sunday.
The former Houston Texans general manager revealed that the Browns were willing to send a first-round pick for the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. As everybody knew by now, the Rams turned down several offers - including the one from the Browns - and pulled off a trade that sent Bradford to Eagles in exchange for Foles, who served as the starting quarterback for Philadelphia the past two seasons.
"I'm looking at Cleveland," Casserly said on the Michael Kay Show via CBS Sports. "The information I have is that they offered a one for Sam Bradford, ok, so clearly they're aggressive in trying to get a quarterback. They've got two one's. (They) can't be sold on what (they've) got. I think they'll be aggressive in the draft."
The Browns' interest in Bradford appears to be quite surprising considering the fact that they already have an upstart quarterback waiting to assume regular starting role next season in Johnny Manziel, who happens to be another former Heisman Trophy winner.
With Brian Hoyer going to the Houston Texans, many NFL insiders expected the Browns to hand the starting role to Manziel on a silver plate. However, their latest attempt to land a quarterback suggests that the Browns brain-trusts are still unsure if Manziel will be able to mature and reach his full potential in his second season following a tumultuous rookie year.
Bradford, who suffered another season-ending ACL injury against the Browns on Week 3, will be given a chance to prove his worth with an Eagles team that made a series of huge offseason transaction this offseason - including the signing of former Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray.