Back in March, we learned that the Eagles were planning to retain cornerback James Bradberry, who is under club control through 2025. However, in light of Bradberry’s struggles in 2023, the additions of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the draft, and the reinstatement of Isaiah Rodgers from a gambling suspension, Bradberry’s place on the roster does not seem to be a sure thing.
Bradberry, who is entering his age-31 season, yielded a massive 114.3 QB rating on passes thrown in his direction last year, and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 100th-best corner out of 127 qualified players. It had been reported that Philadelphia was toying with the idea of moving the 2020 Pro Bowler to safety on a full-time basis, and we now know that the player himself suggested the change.
When speaking to reporters at training camp this week, Bradberry said, “of course, I didn’t have the best season. Going into my ninth year, I know they signed Isaiah Rodgers as well. Of course, he wasn’t able to participate at the time when I requested [the move to safety] but I knew eventually, he was probably going to end up being on the team. We had a lot of young guys at corner in the room anyways, feel like it was lighter at safety” (via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia).
Bradberry approached DC Vic Fangio about the move to safety, and Fangio was receptive, although the celebrated defensive mind cautioned that the cornerback-to-safety transition is not necessarily as seamless as many believe. And while the Eagles do indeed have a number of young CBs on the roster, a starting safety job is not presently available, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship entrenched in the first-team roles.
As Zangaro observes, Bradberry has been taking reps as a second-team safety in camp. He has spoken with GM Howie Roseman, and though he would naturally prefer to start somewhere, he has not requested a trade.
“Nah, I was going to let Howie handle that,” Bradberry said. “We had a conversation and right now, I’m still on the team. And while I’m still on the team, I’m going to try to find my role. If they want to get rid of me, they’re going to get rid of me.”
He further acknowledged the uncertainty of his 2024 home by adding, “I’m on the team right now so I’m taking it day by day. In the NFL, you never know. I could be traded, I could not be traded. I’m preparing for anything.”
The Eagles may prefer to keep Bradberry to see if he can adapt to the safety position and perhaps make himself useful as a multipurpose defensive back in a Fangio defense that prizes versatility, especially since his trade value is likely quite low (and Bradberry was, after all, a Second Team All-Pro in 2022). If the Eagles were to find a trade partner, they would clear out a minimal $1.21MM in cap space.
Vic Fangio seems to be one of the best DCs at getting quality play from backups and marginal players. If Bradberry can’t manage a rebound season under Fangio’s direction…he should probably consider retirement.
While I agree, Bradberry also excelled in pretty much the opposite scheme of what Fangio runs. Bradberry has been a strong tackling zone corner who played in zone style four man fronted defenses in New York and Carolina, and is best when he’s attacking in front of him rather than backing up. I don’t know what Fangio’s safety demands will be in his new look Philadelphia defense, but schematically, Bradberry isn’t the type of player that he’s used in the past.
He can beat Blankenship out. They are both on the same level even with Bradberry learning a new position.
You have to respect his attitude. Nothing Bradberry said was incorrect, and in a day and age where some players cannot admit shortcomings or acknowledge the need to adapt, Bradberry did both. He’s a very accomplished player already, no matter what happens this season, and he’s turned in high quality performances for every team that he’s player for. I respect what he said and what his goal is, here.