2016 NFL Free Agency Profile: Sam Bradford

Oct 20, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) reacts in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

If ever the fate of a player rested on a single performance over the course of 16 regular season games, that is the reality for Sam Bradford in 2015. According to Chip Kelly, his talent alone was enough to garner talk of a 1st round pick from another team via trade despite the bulk of his career being marred by injuries including two torn ACLs.

Age: 27
Hasn’t started since 2013
1,687 yards
14 touchdowns
5 turnovers

Bradford is focusing all his energy, hopes and dreams towards becoming a success with the Philadelphia Eagles. He knows better than anybody that his chance at a big contract in 2016 NFL free agency may be the only one he’ll ever get. Kelly felt his arm talent and understanding of the spread offense the Eagles want to run was worth what they gave up to get him.

Based on talent alone he’s the best the team has seen since Donovan McNabb. Still, it all comes back to health. That battered knee of his was enough to convince the St. Louis Rams that he wasn’t worth the trouble anymore. Can a new offensive system really cover up such a problem? Bradford will still have to face NFL pass rushers who get paid lots of money to put a hurting on him. Kelly seems confident enough, but it’s hard to believe Bradford himself feels the same.

Two injuries to the same knee can give almost any quarterback happy feet in the pocket. It’s not so much cowardice as it is survivor reflexes. Nobody in their right mind would continue to expose themselves to that kind of pain. Not without having a screw loose. Yet that is what Bradford is preparing to do. If he succeeds it could become one of the great stories of the 2015 season and garner plenty of interest from other teams next year.

Likeliest Outcome: Re-signs after regular season

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