NFL Rumors: Would St. Louis Owner Kroenke Trade Sam Bradford for Peyton Manning?

Stan Kroenke's new majority interest in the St. Louis Rams will be a strong motivator to examine the financial status of his team in the harsh light of the last few games. Kroenke was present at the fiasco in Seattle, where the team appeared leaderless and listless in seeking a playoff appearance in the NFC West, the worst division in the NFL. And he has been analyzing the way to build that team into a champion for some time now. [Author's Note: Please see note below, based on comments made regarding this article.] 

There is nothing like money to motivate an owner of an NFL football franchise, and there are few sporting franchise owners like Stan Kroenke. A man who owns interests in teams throughout the world, Kroenke knows the value of players better than any other current NFL owner. And to any owner, the players and stadiums are the things to watch and to spend money on when money makes sense in order to sustain fan support and develop a winner. 

Among the teams in which Kroenke has an interest is Arsenal, one of the world's most famous and successful soccer teams. He recently increased his ownership interest to nearly 30 percent, the trigger amount that would require him to make an offer for all the shares of the team. Arsenal's other large owner is a company whose owners are among the richest in the world. A deal combining those interests would make sense from many standpoints, providing Arsenal with new management at a time when player costs and stadium-related expenses require new management.

With Emirates Stadium in London under his belt, Kroenke has the experience and knowledge to ensure that St. Louis and his team combine to deliver a state-of-the-art stadium to the team's fans. If St. Louis does not do a deal that he finds sufficient, he will undoubtedly move to Los Angeles if that city offers more.

What is most interesting is speculating that Kroenke will trade Sam Bradford before next season. Arsenal is a team prone to trading its best players if the deals make sense. Thierry Henry remains one of Arsenal’s greatest players ever. He was sold to Barcelona.

Moreover, at least one Arsenal player has urged the club to hire David Beckham on an interim, part-time basis. The logic is that Beckham is a veteran who can add to the already talented team.

These two points emphasize that Kroenke is not going to waste thought or effort on keeping an expensive player or avoiding bringing in a veteran if the circumstances call for doing so.

Sam Bradford clearly requires more seasoning despite his already sky-high expectations. Moreover, the historic size of the team's commitment to Bradford could be seen as fanciful at the moment. The team has not been built around Bradford, and doing so requires a lot of expense. When coupled with the need for a new stadium and other issues, we have a decidedly important set of decisions to make from a sports business standpoint.

Bradford is at the peak of his value. No less than John Clayton claims that Bradford has a 99 percent chance of becoming an elite quarterback who can take his team to a Super Bowl. Yet that is at least one more year away. Moreover, Bradford's worth could drop precipitously if he fails to take his team to the playoffs next year.

Is Bradford worth more than his contract? Who would Kroenke be able to get if he traded Bradford now?

The fact is that Peyton Manning could be available. With their team in the playoffs again, but his protection appearing questionable and team on the decline, both owner Jim Irsay and Manning wanted to hold off negotiations on a new contract until after the playoffs.

Would Manning be willing to move to St. Louis? You bet. With the NFC relying on defenses he can scorch and the willingness of Kroenke to spend a ton of money for an instant winner, the writing is on the wall for everyone to see.

There are three positions Manning would require be upgraded in order to take on the St. Louis Rams. Offensive coordinator, although that one is less important with a quarterback of Manning's stature. And running back and offensive line. If real money is spent from the very outset, Bradford could take a seat or be traded, and a winner could be bought instantly by Kroenke. 

The acquisition of Manning could also assist in the development of Bradford if he stays.

For an owner used to winners, from Arsenal to the Colorado Avalanche, the options are clear. Upgrade personnel immediately and make the playoffs next year. Among those options, we have to believe that Bradford is no guarantee and that John Clayton's evaluation could prove wrong. Moreover, there is plenty to disagree with in his view that Bradford is already No. 14 in terms of NFL quarterbacks. 

So we could see Peyton Manning or another veteran entertaining an offer from the Rams. With incredible money available (Stan Kroenke is worth about $1.8 billion and his wife is worth $2.6 billion), there is no need to be chary about what he and the Rams may do to win. If Kroenke opens his wallet, which he almost certainly will, the Rams are likely to look very different next year.

Author's Note: The comments below are similar to those made to another article I wrote concerning the Rams. There are some points that are good ones. After reviewing the article again, I wanted to clear the air concerning the intent of the article and the way in which it was written.

I have made two changes to the article, with one possibly substantive. My use of "the speculation" was changed to "speculating." My intent was never to suggest that others had suggested any of these points, although the stadium issue is known and Kroenke did leave the door open for a move as any good owner would. In reviewing the background of Manning and the Rams, I found one article discussing Bradford in early 2009, which discussed the prospect of getting Manning. I cannot find that article at this point, and it could have been a short comment rather than an article with any analysis. I also found the Bleacher Report article in early 2010 which was labeled satire, discussing the trade of Manning and another player for a third round draft choice.

What is true is that several comments concerning the points raised by the article are not correct. My comments regarding Arsenal are correct. And while there are decided differences between Premier League soccer and professional football, the connections are real.

A final fact was not included in the article, which is perhaps notable and provides a direct connection between Peyton Manning and St. Louis. His agent lives in St. Louis according to a report I read after writing the article. And while pure speculation, Manning and his agent might be able to have a very private conversation with other teams, including possibly the Rams, to find out his value on the open market.

For anyone who was mislead by the title, the use of "NFL Rumors" was added to my first article when edited. I used that in this article because I thought it was the correct category.

Finally, Kroenke is on the new LA stadium committee, a fact I just learned. Does this affect the way you think about a possible move at all?