The Philadelphia Eagles have Sam Bradford coming in as the expected starter for Chip Kelly over Mark Sanchez, as Bradford has looked good in training camp to start off and this comes as the team could consider a Matt Barkley trade after camp if Tim Tebow makes the 53-man roster, while Bradford could be in line for a contract extension.
The Eagles have made some major changes to the roster this offseason and now Kelly is trying to get back to the playoffs after missing out last season. Bradford was acquired in a trade for Nick Foles and while he is coming off of a knee injury, he is slotted to be the starter after what the Eagles gave up to get him. Kelly kept an insurance policy by signing back Sanchez and while Sanchez could get a crack at starting, if Bradford is healthy he likely will be the starter.
According to NJ.com, Eliot Shorr-Parks reported that Bradford has been better than Sanchez to start camp and that it's "clear" that Bradford will be the starter in Week 1. Bradford opened as the quarterback for the first team reps in practice and Sanchez was on the second team in the workout. Bradford was accurate and only missed on a handful of passes in the first practice. Sanchez stepped in last season and started when Nick Foles was injured and Kelly knows that he can rely on Sanchez as the backup. Parks wrote that while Bradford was "rusty," he still was better than Sanchez.
Last season Sanchez played in nine games for the Eagles and threw for 2418 yards and 14 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Sanchez got a good handle on Kelly's offense, as he completed 64 percent of his passes last season. The Eagles also have a battle for third string with Tim Tebow and Matt Barkley and right now it looks like Tebow has the inside track. According to Philly Voice's Jimmy Kempski, Barkley remains on the trade block for the Eagles after getting shopped earlier in the offseason.
Barkley has not played much in two years under Chip Kelly and he could be moved for a draft pick, according to the report. The team shopped Barkley this offseason and teams may not be willing to make a deal if they think the Eagles will cut him after camp, unless injuries happen and a team steps up. Barkley threw just one pass last season while Foles was injured and that lack of confidence could mean that Tebow is ready to slot in as the third string quarterback. Tebow is expected to make the team, according to teammate Brandon Graham and he has been performing solidly in camp so far based on Philly.com observations.
Bradford reportedly is working with the Eagles on a "short term contract extension," as ESPN reports that sources have said the team wants to get a deal done. Bradford is coming into the final year of his rookie contract and he is looking to play a full season for the first time since 2012. Bradford missed all of last season and played in just seven games in 2013 while dealing with knee injuries.
Check here for more on the Eagles training camp, Bradford and his contract and more on the possibility of a Barkley trade.
