Joe Thomas reveals Peyton Manning's unconventional and funny trade tactic | CPT PPP Coverage

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Cleveland Browns icon Joe Thomas recently shared an amusing and somewhat peculiar anecdote involving two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning‘s attempt to orchestrate a trade to bring Thomas to the Denver Broncos.

Thomas, who was selected as the No. 3 overall pick by the Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft, remained loyal to the franchise throughout his entire playing career. Retiring in 2017 after a remarkable decade in Ohio, the 38-year-old is set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week, cementing his legendary status in the league.

Surprisingly, Thomas revealed that Manning, who himself entered the Hall of Fame in 2021, had endeavored to secure his presence on the Broncos roster during their successful Super Bowl campaign in 2015.

In a conversation on The Adam Schefter podcast for ESPN, Thomas recounted Manning’s audacious proposal: “It was like, ‘Hey, Joe, I think you should go up to your GM’s office and make a stink. Literally, I want you to go up there, pull your pants down and make a stink on his desk because that’s the only way Cleveland is going to trade you’.” Laughter accompanied the story, highlighting the playful nature of Manning’s suggestion.

Reflecting further on the Broncos’ pursuit of his services, Thomas added, “It actually happened right before the trade deadline. So, this would’ve been October during that season (2015) because Ryan Clady was their All-Pro left tackle – he’d been injured.”

The trade that never was

The Broncos were on the hunt for a reliable replacement for Clady, and Manning, being the savvy quarterback he is, recognized the need to bolster protection on his blindside. Thomas revealed that while the trade seemed fair in terms of draft compensation, the Browns had reservations about letting go of their longest-serving player.

“Peyton realized like, hey, the deal’s there. (Then-Broncos executive John) Elway thinks it’s fair. Everybody thinks it’s fair, but it’s not going to happen unless Joe does something very drastic,” Thomas added, summing up Manning’s unique perspective.

Ultimately, the trade didn’t come to fruition, and Thomas expressed his contentment at having played his entire career for the Browns, underlining his affection for the franchise and its fans. Amid the camaraderie and levity of the story, it offers a glimpse into the intriguing dynamics of player negotiations and the humorous exchanges that can occur even among football legends.