NFL Rumors: Rams, Vikings Discussing Sam Bradford Trade; Johnny Manziel ‘Very Much in the Picture’

Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford
Scott Kane USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Rams were seemingly a lock to draft former Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson with the second overall pick, but as May 8 nears, there is greater speculation the team could go in a completely different direction.

In an appearance on CBS Sports’ 920 “The Morning After” show Monday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora said “people in the league” believer the Rams and the Minnesota Vikings have discussed a trade centered around quarterback Sam Bradford.

There are people in the league who believe there have been discussions with the Vikings. Rams people have denied any conversations whatsoever. The bottom line is if they don’t take a quarterback, they’re not trading Sam Bradford. There’s so much uncertainty in this draft that it’d be difficult to put the horse before the cart … all these things are tied together.

The Rams are going to talk to a lot of teams between now and whenever their first pick is … can continue to gauge the market.

Late last month, reports surfaced that the Rams were very strongly considering drafting a quarterback in the upcoming draft. La Canfora suggested the team could then look to move Bradford, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract. He named the Vikings, as well as the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and Buffalo Bills as possible landing spots for Bradford.

Last week, more rumblings out of St. Louis indicated the Rams had a serious interest in former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, and the team was contemplating drafting him if he fell to them at No. 13. ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen reported if that was the case, Bradford would immediately be placed on the trade market.

There is a strong chance Manziel is not around when the Rams pick for a second time at No. 13, so if the Rams have a serious interest in drafting him, they will have to move up to nab him. That’s where Minnesota comes in.

The Vikings hold the eighth overall pick, and reports from the Twin Cities indicate the team will not draft a quarterback in that spot. Instead, the Vikings are set on drafting a defensive player or will attempt to move out. A potential swap of the Nos. 8 and 13 picks, along with Bradford, may do the trick.

Bradford is due $50 million in guaranteed money, including about $14 million for 2014 and about $13 million in 2013. The Vikings have $11.8 million in salary cap space for this coming year and will likely have difficulty absorbing his bloated contract.

Bradford would have to agreed to a restructured contract in order to facilitate a trade.

The potential deal heated up as soon after La Confora’s report surfaced, Mortensen said on “On The Clock” that the Rams trip to College Station revolved around seeing Manziel. Mort said Manziel was “the focal point” of the visit and he is “very much in the picture” for St. Louis, adding the Rams would have to strike with the No. 2 pick because the Cleveland Browns could be waiting for him at No. 4.

Pressed for comment, sources with knowledge of the situation told Pro Football Talk the Rams are doing extensive homework on a lot of players, including Manziel, but remain committed to Bradford. Per the report, the Rams insist there are no trade talks involving Bradford.

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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.

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