The Cleveland Browns almost landed a franchise quarterback in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Former first overall pick Eli Manning went on “Bussin’ with the Boys” with Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, discussing his infamous draft day trade from the San Diego Chargers to the New York Giants. He told about how he got a bad vibe between the coaching staff and management at his pre-draft dinner, and why he refused to play in San Diego.
However, he also discussed how other teams were major players that day as well had a trade fallen through with the Giants. And it turns out the Browns were one of those players.
Here is the blank filled in by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio about how Manning’s draft day almost ended had the Giants not struck a deal for him in 2004:
“When the possibility of a trade came up, Condon told Manning the Chargers were going to trade him to the Browns, and he didn’t want to go there, either. Fortunately for Manning, ultimately the Giants and Chargers made a deal, and Manning won two Super Bowl MVPs in New York.”
It doesn’t just sound like the Browns were looming in the background, according to Florio. It sounds like they were prominent figures until Manning’s agent figured out a way to get him from the Chargers to the Big Apple. Of course, the Browns still had another opportunity to land a franchise quarterback in that draft, passing on Ben Roethlisberger as well.
Since 2004, the Browns have struggled to nail down any success at the quarterback position instead.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns almost landed former first overall draft pick in 2004 trade
Reporting by Cory Kinnan, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
