Adrian Fedkiw
So much for those Sam Bradford trade rumors.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson put the drama to rest on Thursday.
“Sam’s our No. 1, we’re not entertaining any trade offers,” he said.
With Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler bolting out of Denver after signing a four-year, $72 million with the Houston Texans Wednesday, the reigning Super Bowl-champion Broncos suddenly don’t have a quarterback. And with limited options on the free-agent market, that’s when the Bradford rumors began to churn.
But it’s done, it’s settled, he’s not going anywhere. Let’s move on.
And so much for a potential quarterback competition between Bradford and the newly-acquired Chase Daniel, who signed a three-year deal Wednesday with $12 million guaranteed.
“Right now going forward Sam Bradford is the No. 1, Chase Daniel is the No. 2, then we’re working on the No. 3,” Pederson said.
Don’t say that to the ultra-competitive Daniel, though. During his four-year stint with the New Orleans Saints, Daniel said he told Drew Brees every day that he was coming to take his job.
“Competition breeds excellence,” he said. “I was a second-year pro, he’s a future Hall of Famer and I’m telling him every single day when I’m the backup, ‘I’m coming for your job dude.’ I don’t care if you’re Drew Brees.”
While Bradford is the starter moving forward, Pederson continually stressed the importance of having “two quality starting quarterbacks” on the roster. Daniel has started just two games in his seven-year career and has a total of 77 pass attempts, but Pederson doesn’t have an issue with his limited experience.
“He had a couple starts against San Diego and played extremely well,” he said. “If he has an opportunity to get into a football game, we know he can act and play like a starter.”
Bradford signed a two-year, $36 million extension last week, but obviously has an extensive injury history and missed a pair of games last year due to a separated shoulder and concussion he suffered against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10.
Daniel might get plenty of opportunities.
“I wouldn’t be in the NFL if I didn’t think I could be a starting quarterback in this league,” he said. “I’m looking forward to competing here.”