Does Sam Bradford want to return to Philadelphia? That is one of the biggest questions of the offseason as the Eagles try to move forward with new head coach Doug Pederson. Last season, Chip Kelly took a risk and made a big trade for a quarterback with an expiring contract. After a disappointing year, Bradford is looking to get paid and the Eagles are looking to win. While Pederson wants Bradford back under center, he is uncertain if the feeling is mutual.
Peter King of MMQB.com reported earlier that Bradford did not want to come back to Philadelphia. There were reports that he did not like the city and did not like the system of the team. However, Pederson believes something different. The head coach is just getting his feet wet with the franchise, but he told the media that he and Bradford have spoken and he thinks the quarterback will return in 2016.
"Yeah, he'd love to be back and that's a thing we got to continue to look at," Pederson said, via Philly.com. "He would definitely fit the type of offensive structure that I'll bring. Sam and I had a great conversation a couple of days ago and I look forward to working with him. It's just something as we continue to evaluate. We'll pull that trigger one way or the other when the time comes."
The decision on Bradford will impact the rest of the offseason for the Eagles. According to team vice president Howie Roseman, the Eagles have time to make a decision on the quarterback. Philadelphia has flexibility considering they can easily use their franchise tag to retain Bradford for one year on a $20 million salary. They could also let Bradford walk away and draft his potential replacement. According to NJ.com, Roseman has met with Carson Wentz and was left very impressed with the quarterback. Jared Goff or Paxton Lynch could also be an option.
ESPN's Todd McShay does not believe any of the quarterbacks in this year's draft are ready to start immediately and lead a team in their rookie season. That puts the Eagles in a tough spot. There are no home run hits like Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were scouted to be. The best option for the Eagles is Bradford. Unless they plan on starting Mark Sanchez in 2016, getting the quarterback to return on at least a one-year deal is the best option moving forward.
"It's only January," vice president of football operations Howie Roseman said, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Teams are still playing. So we've got some time. ... Obviously, the quarterback is the most important position on the field and it would be disingenuous to say anything else. But at the same time, you've just got to evaluate the players on your team, evaluate the players in the draft, evaluate the free-agent market, and then start making decisions."
