The Philadelphia Eagles are headed into a crucial offseason. Between having to hire a new head coach as well as re-signing free agents, this offseason is going to decide which direction the Eagles franchise will go. Among those free agents that the Eagles can’t afford to lose is quarterback Sam Bradford.
While Bradford didn’t start the season well, there is no question he got better and got more confident as the season went on. In fact he ended the season with three straight 300-plus yard games, something he had never done before in his career. Finishing with a 65 percent completion percentage (franchise record) and 3,725 yards, Bradford surpassed career numbers in both categories despite his struggles in the first half of the year.
Bringing back Bradford isn’t going to be easy however. According to multiple reports, the Eagles’ quarterback wasn’t too happy about owner Jeff Lurie firing Chip Kelly. The quarterback and head coach relationship in the NFL is an important one with any team. Look at the good NFL teams around the league. Brady-Belichick, Brees-Peyton and Carroll-Wilson have all have been together for the majority of their careers and had success. Wherever Bradford goes next, it will be his fourth head coach in his short seven-year career.
While fans may want Bradford back, taking away the possibility of giving Bradford the franchise tag, a $25 million value, it is just as likely that Bradford leaves. The fact of the matter is, the Eagles will have a new coach, don’t have any elite offensive weapons, and their offensive line is below average.
The Eagles’ best chance at keeping Bradford may be keeping Pat Shurmur, the same offensive coordinator that he had when he was drafted by St. Louis as well as his coordinator last season. However, it will be up to the new coach if Shurmur stays.
This offseason it will be general manager, Howie Roseman’s, responsibility to do whatever it takes to keep Bradford. The fact of the matter is, Bradford is as close to a franchise quarterback that the Eagles have had since Donovan McNabb left Philadelphia. Starting over with a rookie sets the whole team back. That’s not to mention the team really isn’t in position to draft a quarterback with the 13th overall pick as anything at that point is a reach. Also, with no selection in the second round it isn’t likely that the Eagles find a franchise quarterback going that route. This is a team with several other needs that will need to be taken care of in the draft.
Unless the Eagles plan to start with Mark Sanchez next season or roll the dice on a Kaepernick or RGIII who have haven’t had success in the NFL in over two years, they must find a way to bring back Sam Bradford.
