One of the biggest reasons you can suggest Chip Kelly failed in Philadelphia as a head coach during his three-year run before being cast off to San Francisco was he never had a true franchise quarterback. While he appeared to make moves to get Marcus Mariota, which very well would have resulted in a different fate in Philadelphia, he was stuck with going from Mike Vick to Nick Foles to Mark Sanchez to Sam Bradford. Pin the blame for that on whomever you want, but Kelly is gone and it remains to be seen if Bradford will be the guy moving into the brand new Doug Pederson Era in Philadelphia. If the Eagles do decide to bring Bradford back, how much will it cost? If Sam Bradford’s agent had his way, Bradford will be getting $25 million a year.
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It is at this point we should issue the disclaimer to remind you that agents always talk big numbers. With Bradford able to sign a new deal, of course the asking price is going to be pretty high. Why would you not start on the high end when you are the top quarterback on the free agent market? Bradford is in position to benefit from a subpar pool of quarterback free agents, although it should be amusing to see how much Kirk Cousins and Brock Osweiler receive. Really, take a look at these quarterbacks and tell me who is going to be more sought after than Bradford. Will any team be prepared to give Bradford $25 million?
Bradford is fortunate the Eagles are a team that needs him to come back in 2016, but will the two be able to find some middle ground either in contract worth and/or length. Bradford is coming off a mostly healthy season and turned in his finest performance of his one year in Philadelphia in the final game of the season, a meaningless NFC East victory over the equally disappointing New York Giants. With Mark Sanchez as the backup option, it would seem pretty clear the Eagles would be wise to focus on finding a good quarterback option in the NFL Draft, but they would need a lock of a pick in the first round because they do not have a second round pick. Drafting a QB in the third round likely leads to another QB of the future discusison a year from now anyway. Regardless, the Eagles still need a quarterback in 2016, and new head coach Pederson suggested Bradford could fit in with the new offense if he comes back for another year.
“I think Sam’s a quality quarterback, I think he’s a top-notch quarterback,” said Pederson, who has signed a five-year deal with the Eagles, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. “Look at what he did the last half of the season. The numbers he was able to put up — he’s a quarterback that would fit perfectly into a system I’m going to bring. And so, as we evaluate that position, those decisions will be made as we go.”
One option that could be in play for the Eales would be the franchise tag option. That would certainly be more economically friendly than handing over $25 million per year, which would eclipse the earnings one Aaron Rodgers — far more accomplished and durable than Bradford, mind you — is making from the Green Bay Packers. The franchise tag option could help open the doors to some potential trade opportunities if the right trade partner could be found (Hey, what about Chip Kelly in San Franci– NOPE!).
The Eagles are now in a complete rebuilding mode. If Bradford wants to win now, his best options may be found elsewhere, and he has the total power to go wherever he feels is offering the best fit for him. He might be crazy to return to Philadelphia given the state of the franchise, but few teams may be in as much need of having him stick around than the Eagles. This is Bradford’s market.
