The head coaching pieces are beginning to fall into place with the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Miami Dolphins all making hires. That leaves the Philadelphia Eagles as one of the lone teams still searching for their man in charge. The Eagles have a lot of decisions to make this offseason and cannot get started until their coaching search is complete. Will the decision impact whether or not Sam Bradford returns in 2016?
According to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter, the Eagles are heating up on the idea of former Giants coach Tom Coughlin. Schefter reports that talks heated up on Wednesday between the two sides and a hire could be coming shortly. The San Francisco 49ers have also shown interest in Coughlin after he was impressed with some of the things the franchise had to offer including draft picks and salary cap space, but Philadelphia is the closer job and would require a less drastic move for his family.
Eagles' fans are watching this story closely, but no one is likely watching more intensely than Bradford who must begin to think about free agency and whether or not the Eagles are included in it. Bradford told the media that while he was looking to get a nice contract, the coaching hire would be a big factor in where he signs. The quarterback has been vocal about his desire for offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to get hired as the head coach, but many have to believe he would be happy with Coughlin as well.
The Eagles are in limbo until they know what Bradford is doing. If the quarterback opts to re-sign, then they are set. However, if he leaves, they are at a real loss. First and foremost, the Eagles will have traded a second-round draft pick in the 2016 draft for no reason. That means they will be short on picks and a starting quarterback. Mark Sanchez is signed for another year while Thad Lewis is on the roster, but neither are options to play next season. The Eagles really cannot afford to let Bradford walk away.
According to Pete King of MMQB.com, Bradford has soured on Philadelphia, but could be won over with the contract. King reports that Bradford's agent is going to make sure he gets the most money possible. If the Eagles offer it up then he could be back. Players like Jordan Matthews, Zach Ertz and DeMarco Murray have been vocal about their desire for the quarterback to return in 2016, but money might be the bigger voice.
Bradford did not overly impress this season, but he might be the best option the Eagles have. ESPN's Todd McShay reports that there is really not a quarterback this year ready to lead a franchise right out of college. Philadelphia would not spend their first-round pick on a quarterback as is which means they would have to wait until the third round to select someone.
They could try to acquire Robert Griffin III or Johnny Manziel along with Colin Kaepernick and hope they can succeed. There are also options for players like Brock Osweiler (as a free agent), AJ McCarron or Zach Mettenberger in trades as they all have NFL experience as backup quarterbacks. ESPN.com's Phil Sheridan brings up all three quarterbacks while remaining hesitant on their potential in the league. Bringing Bradford might be the best move.