January 19, 2016
Way back on Dec. 14th, when Chip Kelly was still the Eagles' head coach, he asked if he anticipated Sam Bradford returning in 2016. His answer was fairly emphatic.
"We've always wanted Sam here," said Kelly. "We wouldn't have traded for him if we thought he was going to be here for a year."
In Doug Pederson's introductory press conference as Eagles head coach, he did not share the same enthusiasm on Bradford as the Chipper.
"We're still going through the evaluation process there," said Pederson. "I haven't decided yet on an offensive coordinator. I'm interviewing a few people, and I'm going to evaluate that position. I know it's an important position. From where I come from the last three years tied directly in with the quarterback position.
"Looking at the quarterback position here, I think Sam is a quality quarterback. I think he's a top-notch quarterback. Look what he did the last half of the season, the numbers that he was able to put up. I feel like he's an individual, he's a quarterback that would fit perfectly into a system I'd like to bring. As I evaluate that position, those decisions will be made as we go.
"I don't know him personally. I think he's a tremendous player. I liked him coming out of college when we evaluated him before. He is someone I do want to reach out to, and talk, and have a conversation with."
So, Pederson said some nice things. That's sweet. But he sure didn't give the George Costanza-esque "Is Bradford my quarterback?!? Get outta here! Of course, he is!"
Jeffrey Lurie was even more non-committal toward Bradford when asked about making a financial commitment to him.
"This is the time to leave that to the evaluation process," said Lurie. "We have a new head coach who understands the quarterback position a lot more than I do, and I think all the input of someone who really is now in charge of our football team as head coach will have a very large influence over that. There were a lot of good things that Sam did, and he seemed to get better during the course of the season. Accountability is crucial and the franchise quarterback is very, very important."
Brrrrr.
At a minimum, the likelihood that Sam Bradford would return next season was far higher under Chip Kelly than it is under Doug Pederson and whoever the hell else is going to make the Eagles' personnel decisions.
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