It seems quarterback Sam Bradford's stellar play in the preseason has the Philadelphia Eagles backing off negotiations for a short-term contract extension with the former first-overall pick. It seems, according to a report from Ed Werder of ESPN, that Bradford's early performance and, more importantly, success - success which included a 10-for-10, 121-yard, three touchdown performance against the Green Bay Packers - has "changed dynamics" between the player and the team. Werder reported earlier this offseason that the Eagles were attempting to lock Bradford up on a short-term deal that would keep him in midnight green beyond 2015 and, presumably, drastically lower his $12.985 million cap hit.
Werder doesn't seem to be suggesting now that a deal can't or won't get done eventually, but he does seem to be indicating that Bradford's camp probably thinks that the young veteran and oft-injured signal-caller is capable of some fairly great things in Eagles head coach Chip Kelly's offense. Based on his performance against the Packers, it's hard to disagree. If Bradford plays anywhere close to how he played in the preseason during the 2015 regular season and potentially beyond, he'll be in line for a major pay day once the year ends, either via the application of the quarterback franchise tag - an $18.51 million value for 2015 - or a new, likely long-term, contract extension.
Of course, the caveat to that is that he needs to stay healthy. Bradford has the type of accuracy and anticipation that could allow him to truly thrive in Philly. With Kelly likely looking to build an offense predicated on pounding the rock with DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles, Bradford really only needs to act as a sort of point guard on passing plays, distributing the ball to the likes of Jordan Matthews, Zach Ertz and Nelson Agholor on outs and crossing patterns and moving the Eagles with the kind of methodical speed Kelly's Eagles have become known for. But he's missed nearly the entirety of the past two NFL seasons thanks to torn ACLs.
If he can stay healthy, the Eagles could surprise as a playoff team and it's likely Bradford and the franchise would look to continue their unlikely marriage for many more seasons.
