Sam Bradford has been one of the major headlines of the NFL offseason after getting traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The quarterback expected to be the starter of the Eagles in 2015, but cannot escape the trade rumors as Chip Kelly continues to do nothing to endorse his future. Entering the final year of his contract, Bradford will be trade bait until he is wearing a Philadelphia uniform Week 1, but until then many will wonder if the quarterback will be on the move once again.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns have been looking to trade for Bradford, offering up a first-round pick to acquire the quarterback. Well, the feeling is not mutual as Bradford's agent Tom Condon has told Cleveland the quarterback will not sign an extension if dealt. That has led Mark Eckel of NJ.com to report the Browns are no longer interested in trading for Bradford, realizing a deal would not be worth it if the quarterback does not plan on re-signing a long-term contract.
So Bradford remains with the Eagles for the moment. Kelly continues to praise Marcus Mariota, calling the quarterback the best player in the NFL Draft and claiming he will win a lot of Super Bowls in his career. That is not helping Bradford feel secure about his future, but the Eagles are running out of options for trade deals. They lack the ammunition to get any deals done which means Bradford is starting the season with the Eagles.
According to Eckel's report, Bradford would be willing to listen to extension talks with the Eagles for a long-term deal. Philadelphia traded for the quarterback with no promise of a future commitment and have not made any strides towards that effort. Contract negotiations have not taken place and are unlikely to. Instead, Bradford will enter an audition year as he tries to prove his knee injuries are not factoring into his talent level. If Bradford excels this season under Kelly, the Eagles could easily opt to re-sign him or another team can make a move.
The issue for the Eagles is if Bradford improves and signs elsewhere. That leaves the team shorthanded once again as they would be left with Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley. Philadelphia must determine if the investment is worth it to wager the draft on Mariota instead of banking on the future of Bradford.
