When the Eagles re-signed quarterback Sam Bradford in March 2016, it seemed reasonable. Eight days later, the team signed Chase Daniel to an expensive contract (3 years, $21 million) for a backup quarterback, which seemed questionable. Later, the team traded five picks, including its 2016 and 2017 first-rounders, for the second pick in the 2016 Draft to select quarterback Carson Wentz.
As a result, when the NFL selected Philadelphia as the site for the 2017 NFL Draft, a year in which the Eagles do not have a first-round pick, fans felt awful.
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On Saturday, Philadelphia announced it had traded quarterback Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2017 first-round pick and a 2018 conditional fourth-round pick and things started to make a bit more sense.
For the Minnesota Vikings, Bradford is a starting quarterback who can lead their team, which they desperately needed following Teddy Bridgewater’s season-ending injury. For Philadelphia, the trade opens up a roster spot just, frees up Bradford’s salary and, most importantly, provides the team with a future first-round pick.
With the move, the Eagles have converted a quarterback logjam into a much more simple premise: rookie starter and veteran backup. By trading so much capital for the second pick in the Draft, Philadelphia entrusted its future in the hands of Wentz — even if most anticipated that he wouldn’t see the field in 2016.
Many believed the Eagles had an a chance at the playoffs this year with Bradford under center. With Wentz, that chance has all but vanished. Things change quickly in the NFL. Just ask the Vikings.
Whether you are a fan of Bradford or Wentz, this trade should provide a happy ending for both. Bradford fell into the lap of an NFL team with playoff aspirations and Wentz earned a starting quarterback role while recovering from an injury. In both cases, it’s the best case scenario for the player.
Only Daniel is dissatisfied with the ending. But that’s not unexpected. He is the backup quarterback and few backups are satisfied spending time on the bench.
In the end, it will take patience for this team to succeed. Carson Wentz is learning to adjust to the NFL and Eagles fans will witness his first mistakes in doing so. For now, he simply has to play the game, learn and grow into a great leader. The Eagles gave up a lot to have the opportunity to select the young quarterback with the second pick. It appears that the team has decided to tie its fate to Wentz earlier than expected.
Whether the Eagles make the playoffs this season, this was the right move to make. Now all we can do is watch Wentz’s development. Winning requires taking chances, as does acquiring a franchise quarterback. For now, I like the team’s odds.
To hear more from Bret Stuter, follow him on Twitter at @milroyigglesfan.
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