April 25, 2016
According to Tom Condon, the NFL’s most powerful agent whose lengthy list of clientele includes Sam Bradford, the 28-year-old quarterback was happy to re-sign with the Eagles in the offseason. Until last week, that is.
In an interview on Sirius XM NFL’s Late Hits with Alex Marvez and Bill Polian on Monday night, Condon confirmed that Bradford’s mind changed when Howie Roseman moved up to the second overall pick in the draft.
“I think from that situation Sam has only been in the league for six years and he wants to go someplace and be there and know that he’s going to stay as long as he plays well,” Condon said. “His situation now in Philadelphia is different.”
A few months ago, Bradford signed a two-year contract worth $36 million, $22 million of which is guaranteed.
Condon said that he understood Roseman’s move and mentioned Bradford’s stance isn’t personal, that it’s “just business.” According to his agent, Bradford wants to be in a place that he’ll stick around long-term.
“If you’re on a two-year contract and the second pick in the draft is behind you, then you really better play well because you’re going to hear it from the fans if you don’t,” Condon said. “You better play well, or your teammates are going to be looking at you sideways and wondering about when the next guy is going to step in.”
You can kind of understand where Bradford and Condon are coming from. In the current situation, he’s strictly a stopgap (even though he only signed a two-year deal). On the other hand, how about Bradford, you know, plays well?
The way that Condon frames the situation, it sounds like Bradford doesn’t want the pressure of needing to perform at a high level. The Eagles are giving him the chance to start in a weak division.
Bradford owns a career 81.0 passer rating and has never been to the playoffs, so it’s questionable where that preferred landing spot is. Denver is interested in him, but Bradford won’t be there for long if he, you know, doesn’t play well.
Roseman made it clear that the Eagles still view Bradford as their starter this year earlier today:
Howie Roseman on trade report: "I want to reiterate our support for Sam Bradford. He is our starting quarterback." pic.twitter.com/JzlsT9hayO
— John Clark CSN (@JClarkCSN) April 25, 2016
“He wants to go someplace and know that he’s the man,” Condon said. “He just doesn’t want to be there holding a place card and then wondering where he’s going to go at the end of the year.”
Condon only mentioned that Bradford would miss the voluntary offseason program. Would they hold out into mini-camp and possibly training camp if the Eagles can’t or won’t find a trade? Stay tuned.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
