Courtesy: Fox Sports
After what has been a mass exodus for the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, the swap of quarterback Nick Foles for St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford has left fans on edge. The deal in place includes the Rams receiving a 2015 4th round pick and a conditional 2nd round pick in 2016. In return the Philadelphia Eagles receive the Rams 5th round pick and a conditional pick in 2016. At first glance, the trade looks awfully lopsided in favor of the St. Louis.
Courtesy: USA Today
Though the interesting point to this trade, that most analyst seem to be ignoring, is the inclusion of those conditional picks in next year’s draft. If Sam Bradford does not start most of the season for the Philadelphia Eagles, they will not have to send that 2nd rounder. While they will also receive an 3rd round pick from the St. Louis Rams if he does not see the field, or a 4th rounder if he is limited to less than 50 percent of the offensive snaps.
That insurance policy and stipulations in the details could turn the deal into a swap of quarterbacks, 2015 4th and 5th rounders and the Philadelphia Eagles also receiving an extra 3rd rounder. It all seems confusing but is at least a backup plan if Sam Bradford cannot remain healthy. With all that being said, both players are very similar in skill set, with the new Philadelphia Eagles quarterback having higher potential of being a franchise signal caller.
Thoughts are this deal means the end to the rumors of Oregon quarterback reuniting with his former head coach, Chip Kelly. The Philadelphia Eagles have been retooling their entire roster for what everyone thought was that exact move. But with the conditions involved in the deal, the possibility is an option.
Reports say that the Tennessee Titans, who hold the second pick in the draft, are very high on Sam Bradford’s potential. There could be some posturing in this deal that they were more interested in him over Foles. So in order to move up from the 20th pick, to a position that guarantees Mariota’s acquisition, Chip Kelly will use Sam Bradford to sweeten the package.
Courtey: USA Today
Adding in first round picks in the next two drafts, along with others in the next couple years, along with the former St. Louis Rams quarterback, could be enough to entice the Tennessee Titans to make the deal. A deal that will likely include that conditional pick the Philadelphia Eagles could receive in 2016. That insurance policy may be the difference maker in the Tennesse Titans pulling the trigger.
Now this could all be a moot point and the Philadelphia Eagles could see Sam Bradford as their future at quarterback. The once offensive rookie of the year did play under now offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur while in St. Louis. Sam Bradford’s best season in his five year career came while he was calling the plays in his first season.
But the end goal of acquiring Marcus Mariota, is still not out of the realm of possibility. If Chip Kelly really wants his former protege, there is still enough there to make a package. Either way, the Sam Bradford trade will reshape the future for the Philadelphia Eagles for better of worse.
