Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Is that some orange on his shorts or is he just… photo credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Next Thursday will finally be the end of all of the Marcus Mariota to the Eagles speculation, so then we can move on to other topics. Or not. Also there are no other topics.

According to Jason La Canfora at CBS Sports, Mariota could be picked at number two by the Tennessee Titans, and still end up as an Eagle:

The Tennessee Titans will be open to exploring any deal that makes sense for them. The Eagles, Browns, Chargers and possibly Rams will all have at least some degree of interest, and there is ample potential for a swap to occur before the Titans make their selection …

It could just as well occur sometime after, whether it sometime later during the first round of the draft next Thursday, or even perhaps days or weeks after [Ed. note: Weeeeeeeks]. Surely, a few wrinkles could get a bit more tricky in the aftermath of the Titans using the pick, though even then a corresponding transaction would be hardly impossible.

As Bleeding Green Nation points out, the “picking a player first and then trading him” is more of an NBA-style move than NFL, “but if there was ever a time for an unconventional trade to be made, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Chip Kelly involved in it.” So basically it comes down to this: The Eagles could make the trade for the number two pick tomorrow. Or on draft night. Or they could trade for Mariota after he’s picked. Or weeks later. Or after his second season. Or never. This will never end.