When the Tuesday deadline for applying the franchise tag came and went without any news out of the Philadelphia Eagles facility regarding quarterback Sam Bradford, the assumption was that there would another week or so of handwringing ahead of the league's "legal tampering" period from March 7 to 9, followed by Bradford's potential departure.
Bradford, for all the time that's been wasted discussing his future, or lack thereof, in Philadelphia, is a talented, but ultimately underwhelming player. He's good, not great. The kind of guy you'd want as a placeholder, who brings the potential to win while simultaneously allowing you to groom the franchise quarterback of the future.
Well, it seems that may be exactly what the Eagles are thinking. The team announced, about a half an hour after the franchise tag deadline passed, that they had come to terms with Bradford on a two-year deal. ESPN's Adam Schefter indicates the deal is worth $36 million, with $26 million guaranteed. And while that sounds like a lot, don't forget that the exclusive rights franchise tag for quarterbacks in 2016 was north of $19 million.
Now, the Eagles have a first-round, first-overall talent in place at quarterback making somewhere between $13 and $18 million per year while they, presumably, let whatever guy they take in the 2016 NFL Draft sit and learn for a couple of seasons.
Bradford, 28, came into the league in 2010 as one of the most hyped quarterbacks in some time. Unfortunately, the awful offensive line and complete lack of weapons in St. Louis left Bradford bruised, battered and ultimately scarred. He's lost almost two full seasons to knee injuries and has only played a 16-game slate twice in his career.
His jump to Philly last offseason didn't amount to the revival some predicted, and with Chip Kelly's ousting there was talk that Bradford could very well follow him out the door this offseason. But then an interesting thought seemed to take root - considering Bradford's poor play and the instability he's faced during his NFL career and the Eagles' lack of immediate options elsewhere, it started to look more and more like a return to Philly was the smartest move for both sides.
A two-year deal provides Bradford some security and leaves room for him to seek a better deal in the future should he play well at the same time as it allows the Eagles to cut ties should next season look a little too much like the rest of Bradford's career.
