The Denver Broncos remain without a clear-cut starting quarterback with less than 24 hours until the start of the 2016 NFL Draft. Broncos GM John Elway has shown himself to be a patient man during his tenure at the top of the organization he once helmed to back-to-back Super Bowls as a player, so it's not surprising that he's not willing to give in right away to either the San Francisco 49ers or Philadelphia Eagles' demands.
But time is running out, and if Elway wants to avoid entering the 2016 NFL season with Mark Sanchez and a rookie quarterback slotted at Quarterback 1A and Quarterback 1B on his Super Bowl-ready depth chart, he may need to break where he has so often refused to bend.
Per a late Wednesday report, the Broncos and Elway are "in" on disgruntled Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford, at the same time as they are said to be slowly backing away from the negotiating table regarding the Niners' Colin Kaepernick.
The sticking point with Kaep has been clear for some time - he doesn't want to see his $11.9 million base salary for 2016 reduced much, if at all. Elway has been adamant that in order for a deal to get done, and in order for him to fork over some type of draft compensation for Kaep, that number has to come down.
However, with Jim Harbaugh's former star pupil digging his heels in on his salary, it seems as though Elway and Co. have turned their collective attention to Bradford, who, after already being paid a $5.5 million bonus by Philadelphia, will cost just $7 million for 2016.
With the Eagles vaulting up to the second-overall pick and expected to take Carson Wentz Thursday night, Bradford is the odd-man out. He doesn't have to be - he just believes that the Eagles making the move for a young signal-caller means that he has no chance of sticking in Philly long-term.
He may be right, but it's not a positive sign for the Eagles, Broncos or any team with potential interest in Bradford that he would wilt so quickly at signs of adversity.
Still, his immense talent has never been in question. Bradford remains as athletically and mentally gifted as he was when the Rams made him the first-overall selection in 2010. His psyche and body have been bruised and battered, of course, but the talent remains.
For the Broncos, coming off a Super Bowl victory made possible because of strong defense and two quarterbacks' ability to hold onto the ball, acquiring Bradford could mean another trip deep into the playoffs.
But the Eagles apparently won't give up Bradford for cheap - it's been suggested that a roster player and fourth could get a deal done - and it'll be up to Elway to decide if it's really worth it, whatever the potential cost winds up being.
More I hear, more I believe Eagles aren’t bluffing about high price for Sam. Not perfect comps, but C. Palmer & A. Smith cost 2 good picks.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) April 27, 2016
