Sam Bradford’s Best Option Is To Play For The Philadelphia Eagles
By Tom Ignudo
Sam Bradford is treading water and his best course of action would be to bite the bullet and play for the Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s only a matter of time before Sam Bradford will be in his driveway doing crunches, curling dumbbells and stonewalling reporters who are asking questions about his jeopardized future with the Eagles.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Eagles have been informed that Bradford has requested a trade and will not attend their offseason voluntary workouts, but the two-time ACL-tearing quarterback has zero leverage in this situation.
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Like the Brett Favre fiasco, Bradford is facing a similar circumstance, except, he hasn’t had one winning season in the NFL or even sniffed the playoffs.
The Packers traded Favre to the Jets after Aaron Rodgers sat for three years. Favre would only spend one year with the Jets, but went on to have success with the Vikings after the retirement saga leading them to an NFC Championship appearance in 2010.
As the Eagles’ sacrificial lamb, Bradford will have the same opportunity Favre did to play under his remaining contract.
Tom Condon, Bradford’s agent, on a SiriusXM NFL Radio show talked about his toughness and willingness to compete.
“He’s a serious guy,” Condon said. “And he takes all of this very seriously, he’s very competitive, he’s very bright, he works really hard and he’s a good, honest tough guy.”
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If that were the case, Bradford would have no problem playing this season out in Philadelphia. Even as the stop-gap guy, he will be competitive enough in the NFC East to win the division and clinch playoff berth. And that would be the best move for both parties.
After gaining familiarity with targets like Zach Ertz and Jordan Matthews last year, playing with them for a second consecutive year could maximize his value for a potential trade next offseason.
Trading Bradford this year would result in $11 million in dead money. The Eagles aren’t doing that. In 2017, a trade involving Bradford would result in $5.5 million in dead money and saves $17 million on the cap.
Based off of Roseman’s past deals like trading DeMarco Murray and Byron Maxwell, which saved $8.8 million against the cap, a trade in 2017 is more ideal.
Condon has told the Eagles Bradford will not show up at the Nova Care Complex until the first day of mandatory mini-camp on June 7, according to Sal Paolantonio of ESPN. The Eagles have also told Condon he does not have permission to shop Bradford.
Condon needs to understand the Eagles’ front office isn’t there to run their franchise-altering decisions by Bradford. Roseman and the rest of the front office has made it clear they’re planning for the next 10 years, not this upcoming season.
And even if he is the Eagles’ sacrificial lamb, it’s the best move for Bradford and the franchise.