NFL Trade Machine: E.J. Manuel On The Brink

Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel (3) gestures during the 2014 Hall of Fame game against the New York Giants at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The race is wide open for the Buffalo Bills quarterback job. New head coach Rex Ryan has insisted that former 1st round pick E.J. Manuel is very much part of it and that the team has hopes he’ll be their answer long-term. He’s even offered favorable opinions of the new offense being installed.

"“I just think the dynamics that we have and the personnel that we have, you look at the receivers, running backs and the tight ends we have at the skill positions and the O-linemen getting better, getting stronger, getting nastier. But with the shifts and motions and the things we’ll do to mix it up for a defense is going to be really good. Instead of just being vanilla we’ll have a whole lot of different looks for opponents to prepare for.”"

Indeed, Greg Roman had earned a reputation in San Francisco for beings somewhat of a mad scientist, so it stands to reason he’d get players excited with the possibilities. The problem for Manuel is whether he understands what’s against him. Ryan and his coaches weren’t part of the draft that brought him in. In fact, one of the first things they did when the off-season went active was execute an NFL trade for Matt Cassel from Minnesota and also signed Tyrod Taylor from Baltimore.

Most would assume by those move that they are more than just competition to push Manuel. Buffalo may have designs on replacing him outright. If so, does that mean he could be on the block himself in the near future? Also, would any teams have interest in him?

Based on his talent, that’s certainly possible. Here are a few teams to watch.

Philadelphia Eagles

They’ve already traded together once before with the LeSean McCoy deal, so the familiarity helps. However, it’s the endless Chip Kelly credo of collecting quarterbacks that puts the Philadelphia Eagles here. He’s never shy about adding to the position every year. Add in the fact that Manuel fits the profile of what Kelly has preferred in the past for his signal callers (athletic, mobile and a strong arm) then it makes perfect sense. That and the probability they could get him at a bargain.

San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers isn’t getting any younger, is on the last year of his current contract and the San Diego Chargers don’t have anybody on the roster ready to replace if and when he leaves. Mike McCoy has done more with less at the quarterback position in his career (Tim Tebow) so Manuel would not be nearly as big a challenge for his creative play calling prowess. If nothing else it at least presents the Chargers with some high upside insurance in case Rivers decides to bolt.

Arizona Cardinals

Last season rammed home just how closely tied the Arizona Cardinals are to the quarterback position. Carson Palmer has a history of health problems and the depth behind him failed to do little more than help them limp into the playoffs. Logan Thomas is one young project head coach Bruce Arians seems to like. Why not double his odds by taking on someone like E.J. Manuel who has shown more capacity at the pro level?

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