Eagles: How Much is Too Much for Marcus Mariota?

Throughout what has been a chaotic off-season for the Philadelphia Eagles, filled with management changes, cuts, free agent signings and trades…one thing has remained constant. The team’s reported interest in trading for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. But how much is too much for the former Duck?

It’s no secret that the quarterback position has been lacking since head coach Chip Kelly took over in 2012. He’s made the best of what he’s had, that’s for sure. The birds were a top five offense in points per game and total yards per game in both of Kelly’s first two years as the head coach in Philadelphia. Let’s not forget that was with Michael Vick, Nick Foles, Matt Barkley and Mark Sanchez all spending time at quarterback.

But enough is enough, it’s time for Kelly to acquire “his guy” and there may never be a better available option than Mariota in the 2015 NFL Draft. The only problem is that he’s ranked as the second best quarterback in the draft and will likely be picked in the top five or so. Philadelphia doesn’t pick until 20th overall in the first round, that’s quite a jump to make. Yet now that Kelly has full control of all personnel moves, will he make that leap for his former quarterback?

That’s the question almost everyone wishes they had the answer to. It’s clear that Kelly doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, but even he must have his limits…I hope.

There are some Eagles’ fans with the frame of thought that they are willing to do whatever it takes (or #WhateverItT8kes on Twitter). Then there are others that are content moving forward with Sam Bradford in 2015 and seeing how the last year of his contract plays out. Either way, Kelly has a big decision to make and multiple rumors suggest the team has certainly been considering the idea of trading up for Mariota.

In a dream world, the Eagles would only have to trade their 2015 first round pick, a couple of other picks and Sam Bradford for a top pick to draft Mariota. But it will likely cost more than that and that’s what is a bit concerning to me, personally. It’s not like the Eagles are just “one piece away” and only need a quarterback to be an elite, Super Bowl contending team. There’s more to it than that, if trading up for Mariota cost multiple first round picks, Bradford and a few other players like linebacker Mychal Kendricks and cornerback Brandon Boykin, that’s too much, in my eyes.

But what do you believe is too much for Mariota? Are you on the “#WhateverItT8kes” train or do you have a set limit that you wouldn’t pass to acquire the former Duck? Leave a comment below with which “side of the fence” you may be on and why, that should start a fun debate or two.

Either way, it’s ultimately up to Kelly and if this off-season has told us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. Just when you think you have him figured out, he goes and drops a bomb on your entire thought process…and I expect the 2015 NFL Draft to be no different with Kelly running the show.

Next: Which Ducks Will the Philadelphia Eagles draft?

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