Let’s run through a few Sam Bradford stats: A 63-63 record in his six NFL seasons. In only two of those did he play all 16 games. In one of those seasons he didn’t play any games. He’s never finished a season with more wins than losses. He’s yet to make an appearance in the playoffs.
In all Sam Bradford is a decent, injury-prone quarterback who, through a combination of good timing (he signed a $76 million contract the year before the rookie salary cap was introduced) and good luck (his price has been driven up by the dearth of good quarterbacks around him) is piecing together a lucrative NFL career. In the right situation he could perhaps make the next step and thrive as a late-bloomer.
(Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia is the right situation for Bradford, though he doesn’t seem to think so. On Monday, rumors circulated that Bradford was demanding the Eagles trade him away after his organization traded away five picks to jump up to the second overall spot, presumably so they can draft a quarterback.
From an Eagles perspective, this isn’t as crazy as some would have you believe. Yes, there’s an inherent risk (especially because the quarterback class this year looks rather underwhelming), but with Bradford already on the books and signed-on for the next two years, it’s a calculated one.
Philly are going to draft Carson Wentz and spend the next year-and-a-half coaching him up. If they like what they see, they’ll bid Sam Bradford adieu and phase-in Wentz. If Bradford blossoms into an elite-level quarterback, Wentz becomes a valuable trade asset. If they both bomb-out, Philly cut ties and start again.
On no planet is this not a fair deal for Sam Bradford.
(AP)
If these reports are to be believed, it’s breathtakingly delusional for Bradford to think he deserves to be the unquestioned franchise quarterback — his middling play aside, his penchant for injuries rules that out of the equation.
What Bradford has in Philly is a fantastic opportunity, and he’s getting paid a fortune for the pleasure. He has two years to prove he is what he thinks he is, and if it doesn’t work out, both parties can move on amicably, a fair deal having concluded.
In asking for a trade, Bradford feels entitled to something he hasn’t earned and, at his level, doesn’t really exist. If he thinks he’s a franchise quarterback, he needs to grow up, come back to reality and prove it.
