April 21, 2016
According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, Sam Bradford is likely to request a trade out of Philadelphia, where he doesn't feel like he is in the Eagles' long-term plans. Tim McManus of Birds 24/7 did the transcribing legwork (thanks for the time-saver, Tim):
“I’ve talked to a source who said it’s likely that Bradford is going to ask for a trade at some point in time, or some way to get out of Philadelphia so that he can move on with his career somewhere else with a team that is going to be invested in him long-term. That’s the kind of solution that Bradford is looking at at this point in time.
“The question for Bradford is whether he’s willing to take some kind of pay cut to make that happen. He has $11 million he’s been paid already by the Philadelphia Eagles as part of the two-year deal that he signed before the start of free agency.”
Sorry, Sam. That's not likely to happen unless the Eagles get something in return that they can't turn down.
As Cole noted, Bradford has already been paid $11 million. The Eagles view him as a short-term answer who can keep the Eagles competitive in a terrible NFC East. Not that NFL teams tank, but with no first round pick next year, the Eagles have every incentive to win as much as possible in 2016, and Bradford is the quarterback currently on the roster who gives them the best chance to do that.
Furthermore, if the Eagles trade Bradford, he'll count on the Eagles' cap for $11 million, and it's not as if he's going to take a pay cut.
Bradford is married to the Eagles in 2016. Clearly, his camp did not expect long-term, big money contract offers to come rolling in during free agency, or they wouldn't have signed a two-year deal that is structured more like a one-year deal before free agency even began.
Bradford's only recourse here is to play with the Eagles in 2016 and play well. If he has made himself more marketable after a quality season, then maybe another team will pony up the kinds resources that make him feel wanted.
