As predicted, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected quarterback Jameis Winston with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Additionally, in another somewhat expected yet slightly boring selection, the Tennessee Titans chose quarterback Marcus Mariota at No. 2.
Now, the burning rumor of the offseason has been whether or not the Philadelphia Eagles and head coach Chip Kelly would make a trade offer to the Titans to acquire their second overall pick. While Kelly had previously claimed he would not sell the farm to get the pick, he did offer up a healthy mortgage, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
The trade offer included two first-round picks, which presumably would’ve included Philly’s No. 20 pick this season and next year’s top selection. Additionally, the Eagles would’ve thrown in a third-rounder, Brandon Boykin, Mychal Kendricks and Fletcher Cox. That would have left a huge dent in Kelly’s proverbial farm.
Chip Kelly said he wouldn't mortgage the future to trade up. Meanwhile, he offered 3 picks and 4 players.
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) May 1, 2015
Apparently, in the end, this was not enough for the Titans because they passed up on all of the loot. The bottom line, it would appear, is they wanted Mariota from the start.
There were also late rumors that Kelly was interested in moving up to No. 1 and making a swap with the Bucs. Reportedly, Kelly offered “two first rounders, a quarterback and another player” to Tampa Bay after their negotiations with the Titans failed (via Fox Sports).
The mention of “a quarterback” likely means Kelly offered Sam Bradford in this mix. Nevertheless, the Buccaneers were not interested in dealing their No. 1 pick to the mad scientist from Philly.
Whether Kelly has any further antics up his sleeve in an attempt to land his former college quarterback post-draft remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: He’s definitely is a man on a mission.
Photo: USA Today Sports