While it had been reported that the Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Sam Bradford had discussed a potential contract extension in the wake of the team acquiring the oft-injured signal-caller via trade with the St. Louis Rams, more recent reports had suggested that such a deal was unlikely and that Bradford was therefore set to play out the final year of his record pre-rookie wage scale deal at a value of just under $13 million. Only now, according to ESPN's Ed Werder, Bradford and the Eagles may have returned to the negotiating table at the outset of training camp.
Per Werder, the two sides are discussing a "short-term extension," which would commit Bradford to the team beyond 2015 and, presumably, drastically lower his current cap hit.
Bradford, brought to the team in exchange for former starting quarterback Nick Foles and a 2016 second-round pick, has lost the majority of his last two NFL seasons to dual ACL tears. The former first-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft garnered Offensive Rookie of the Year honors during his initial professional season, but injuries coupled with turnover in the St. Louis coaching staff and a lackluster group of blockers and weapons left him well short of expectations in the eyes of the Rams and the NFL.
Nearing a career crossroads, Bradford is likely aware that teaming up with Eagles head coach Chip Kelly in his quarterback-friendly offense - Foles threw 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions in 2013 and Mark Sanchez set career and Eagles franchise records in completion percentage in 2014 - may be his ticket to finally realizing the potential that once made him such a highly-touted prospect.
A short-term deal would presumably protect the team by lowering Bradford's cap hit and ensuring he doesn't price himself out of Philly should this coming season go as planned and provide security for Bradford should he be injured again, ensuring that the experiment with him as the starter in Philly doesn't even after just one season.
