NBC on Yahoo SportsEagles, Bradford reportedly talking short-term deal
The Eagles and quarterback Sam Bradford are discussing a contract extension that would keep him in Philadelphia at least through 2016.
Ed Werder of ESPN reports that the two sides are talking about a short-term deal that would keep him in Philadelphia beyond just this season.
Bradford’s current contract, the $78 million rookie deal that he signed as the first overall pick of the Rams in the 2010 draft, expires after this season. That means the Eagles would be faced with the choice in March of either signing Bradford to an extension, letting him walk, or putting the franchise tag on him. The franchise tag next year will likely be in the $25 million range.
Bradford has said he’s willing to play for the $13 million he’s owed this year and hit free agency next year, betting on himself that he can get a more lucrative deal after a good season in Philadelphia. The risk to Bradford of that approach is that if he gets injured again, he’s not going to command much money on the free market in 2016.
Eagles coach Chip Kelly has said he believes in Bradford as the team’s franchise quarterback, so it makes sense that Kelly would try to get Bradford locked up beyond this season. Of course, Kelly has also said that Mark Sanchez will get every opportunity to win the starting job, so it seems a little premature to give Bradford an extension now, if he might be the backup in Week One.
That may be why both sides are talking about the short term. An extension through 2016 would give both Bradford and the Eagles more time to see if they’re a good fit, and more time to work out a long-term deal if he does prove to be the Eagles’ long-term answer.
