The Eagles and quarterback Sam Bradford have begun discussing a contract extension, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (on Twitter). However, Breer adds that the talks have been preliminary and no real progress has been made yet. The two sides, he says, have talked “a few” times.
Bradford, 27, came to the Eagles in an offseason deal that saw Nick Foles shipped out to St. Louis. Interestingly enough, we also received word this week that Foles and the Rams have begun talks on a fresh contract.
Bradford has battled injuries over the past two seasons, including an ACL injury that forced him to miss the entire 2014 season. In his last full season, the former first-overall pick threw for 3,702 yards, 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. During that 2012 campaign, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked Bradford 21st among 38 quarterback candidates.
Recently, PFR’s Dallas Robinson looked at Bradford as a possible extension candidate. Within the piece, he reasoned that a short-term extension makes the most sense for both sides. At 27, another three years on Bradford’s current deal would result in him hitting the open market at 31, when he could net another big deal.
The Eagles will likely have reservations about a long-term pact with Bradford due to his injury history. Bradford’s medical file includes two torn ACLs in his five-year career and he’s played in only 49 out of a possible 80 games since entering the league. By the same token, rumors of the Eagles offering him up in trade talks shortly after acquiring him could give Bradford pause about joining up with them for the long run.