The trade that didn’t happen that made the NFL fair in 2015

Nov 1, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) runs off the field before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

All is fair in the NFL these days!

That would not have been the case if the Cleveland Browns would have completed a trade sending All-World left tackle Joe Thomas to the Denver Broncos. But thanks to the Browns wanting to go in too rich for the Broncos blood, the deal didn’t go through. ESPN reported that the Browns had asked for as much as two first-round picks from the Broncos at one point and that Tuesday.

The two sides were close on a package that had the Broncos getting Thomas and a Browns 4th-round pick. They were willing to give up 2016 1st-and 2nd-round picks but the Browns also wanted a 2016 3rd-round pick. That ended up being the sticking point of the deal so it didn’t end up getting done.

The Broncos have been decimated by injury at left tackle this year to injuries to Ryan Clady and Ty Sambrailo. Meanwhile, Thomas has never missed any of his assigned regular-season starts that span 8,443 consecutive snaps. He has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his eight seasons in the NFL.

What’s a three if you’re already giving up a one and two for a darn-near guaranteed Super Bowl win?

That defense with Peyton Manning throwing to Emmanuel Sanders, Demarious Thomas and now Vernon Davis?

Really?

That’s actually not fair to the rest of the NFL.

Broncos G.M. John Elway should have made that deal but told ESPN, “I know that everyone looks at it as we’re trying to win it now and we’re all in for now. … We’re trying to win from now on.”

Whatever makes you sleep at night John.