The conversation surrounding Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford has been a whirlwind story taking almost three weeks to develop and seemingly come to an end.
On March 1, 2016, Bradford signed a two-year, $35 million dollar deal. This includes $22 million guaranteed and an $11 million dollar signing bonus. Amidst signing the extension, Bradford has to know and even acknowledge the fact that a two-year deal doesn’t mean that he is seen as the franchise option at quarterback. He has to know that he’s there to hold a place, and groom newly acquired draft pick Carson Wentz, whom the Eagles selected second overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Curious Case of Sam Bradford
Bradford had two ways to look at the situation: He could react the way he did, and we know what happened there. He decided to publicly voice his opinion and displeasure. Some media has said he appears to be pouting. That he came in with the notion that he was going to be the starter, the leader, and number one on the depth chart. The crazy thing is that all of those things are true. He is the starter. He can lead. And he is number one on that depth chart. Had he internally voiced his displeasure to his agent and that would have been that. He wouldn’t have faced the ridicule he did in the media and it would have fizzled out once he reported to camp. He signed a contract, and he was aware off all terms when he signed it.
Then there’s the second option. He could have looked at this as an opportunity. An opportunity to help groom another quaterback to an elite level. Bradford could look at it like the Eagles chose him, along with Chase Daniel to help mold Wentz, to make him ready to compete when the time came for him to play. A lot of quarterbacks would be honored for the chance to start for however long, and be able to develop and mold the generation following him. Mark Schlereth of ESPN said that when he was playing in the league he would love the opportunity to have newly drafted players look up to him and learn from him. His goal was to leave the team and the league in a better place then when he entered. Bradford could have that mentality. He could have taken the opportunity and run with it, and made the Eagles regret not signing him to a longer deal.
He recently rescinded his trade request, stating he was ready to come to work. It’s now an issue that will soon disappear once organized team activities begin, and then be nothing more than a memory once the season starts. An eye will have to be kept on Mr. Bradford to see if he really is going to give it his all during his tenure in Philadelphia. If not, expect to see him holding a clipboard on the sideline watching Chase Daniel start. Or even worse, watching Carson Wentz take the reins, which there may be no turning back from.
