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Sam Bradford Needs To Thank The Eagles’ Front Office

By Tom Ignudo

Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) runs off the field after defeating the Buffalo Bills 23-20 at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) runs off the field after defeating the Buffalo Bills 23-20 at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford came to his senses and returned to the team’s off-season program on Monday.

After his two week hiatus, Bradford released a statement on returning to the Nova Care Complex for voluntary workouts, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

“I’m excited to be back on the field today with my teammates and coaches,” Bradford said in a statement. “The business-side of football is sometimes a necessary consideration. My attention and efforts are focused on the participation in and preparation for a championship season: I am committed to my teammates and the Eagles organization for nothing less.”

Bradford requested a trade when the Eagles moved up the draft board to select North Dakota State University product Carson Wentz with the No. 2 overall pick

And during his two week absence, Bradford has allowed the fans and the media to evaluate him psychologically.

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I’m not sure if Bradford is all of the sudden focused or committed to his teammates, after he missed two weeks of practice in a new head coach’s system. I mean, this is the guy who contemplated about retiring from the NFL nearly two years ago.

Tom Condon, Bradford’s agent, told Sal Paolantonio of ESPN, that he informed the Eagles he wasn’t going to show up until mandatory camps, which begin on June 7, but there could be plenty of reasons why Bradford returned prior the start of mandatory camp.

One, is Bradford realizing the landscape of the NFL—particularly his value around the league.

Condon attempted to shop Bradford to other teams around the league even though he was denied by the Eagles to perform such duties. On top of that, only the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets made sense for him, but, once the Broncos selected Memphis University quarterback Paxton Lynch with the No. 26 overall pick in this year’s draft, those talks ended.

Another may have been Bradford realizing the longevity of his career depends on this season more than last season. After playing 14 games and having a career high in passing yards, he proved he could be healthy for at least a full season.

Like I stated here in a previous article, Bradford’s best option is to maximize his value by performing well this season, and try to gain the interest of another team and land the opportunity to sign a new contract.

In the final seven games of last season, Bradford threw 10 touchdowns and four interceptions; however, he didn’t really do anything substantial enough to make one believe he can lead a team to the promise land.

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Lastly, Bradford’s reputation was being harmed not only in Philadelphia but around the NFL. Fans of other teams are also upset with Bradford’s demands.

But many around the league have chimed in.

Former Washington Redskins quarterback and Super Bowl champion, Joe Theismann, said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that Bradford should “go out and compete like somebody who wants the job.”

Terrell Owens, former Eagles wide receiver and six-time Pro Bowler, called Bradford a coward.

And Heath Evans, of the NFL Network, was disappointed in Bradford’s recent actions of missing voluntary workouts and demanding a trade.

With Bradford back, he now needs to thank the Eagles’ front office for handling this situation patiently and professionally. Throughout the whole process, head coach Doug Pederson and vice president of football operations Howie Roseman have made it more than clear that he is the starting quarterback.

“Sam’s our quarterback,” Roseman told reporters on April 28 after selecting Wentz. “We’ve been clear about that from the first time we had this conversation. Whenever he comes back we’ll welcome him with open arms.”

And that’s exactly what they did. Now, it’s up to Bradford to perform and prepare as he’s stated he will to determine his future as a quarterback in the NFL.

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