Broncos Should Pursue Sam Bradford: Ryan Edwards

Broncos Should Pursue Sam Bradford

Ryan Edwards

https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/724762345335967745

Listen, this is simply where the Broncos are at. Of the available quarterbacks on the market, Bradford (when healthy), may offer the most upside. The group of Hoyer, Fitzpatrick, Foles, and Kaepernick are what the Broncos (along with the Jets and potentially the Eagles) are working with this season and NONE of them are a sure thing. This season looks to be about the “bridge” quarterback and the Broncos should explore all options vigorously to see if, through competition, they can add a complimentary player to steer the ship of a defensive minded team.

The likelihood that the Eagles give-in to Bradford’s demands and trade him is very small. However, on draft night, following the Eagles selection of their quarterback of the future at #2 overall, John Elway should pick up the phone and attempt to make a deal to acquire Sam Bradford. Actually, since Denver already knows the Eagles plans at the top of the draft, a deal could be in place before Thursday night.

If nothing else, Elway can use the threat of getting something done with the Eagles as a way to move things along with the 49ers and Colin Kaepernick. John has shown thus far in his tenure as GM, that he’s not afraid to use negotiations with one player to force movement to act from another player.

Former NFL GM and NFL Network Analyst Charley Casserly agrees that Bradford to Denver makes a lot of sense. “I’d have already called Denver. You’re going to say publicly he’s our quarterback, [but] get me Denver on the phone. Denver can win right now.”

The Broncos could likely use a lot of the framework they have in place for the Kaepernick trade to work something out and, before you freak out about the money, it’s not as big of a deal as you think. The Eagles, in the process of overpaying Bradford a 2-year, $36 million contract with $22 million guaranteed, have already paid him an $11 million signing bonus so his base salary is $7 million this year. If you remember, that’s the exact amount of money the Broncos were offering Colin Kaepernick to play this season with Denver. Naturally, this would require the Eagles to swallow the $11 million they gave him but if they are desperate enough to move a possible “cancer” in the locker room, it may be worth it to acquire picks and just move on. It will be a challenge for Elway to convince the Eagles they need to make this deal, but if he can convince them to negotiate, he simultaneously buys a boatload of leverage in negotiations with the 49ers.

In Bradford’s “healthy” seasons, he has thrown for at least 3,500 yards, 18 TDs and 13 INTs. Last season, he completed 65% of his passes in the Eagles up-tempo offensive attack. He’s absolutely not an elite talent, but of the group of QBs that the Broncos have available to them, none are. He represents similar risk/reward as any of the other quarterbacks with upside similar to Colin Kaepernick. The difference? Kaepernick is coming off injury from last season and was benched for QB Blaine Gabbert. Also, following his 2013 run to the NFC Championship, Kaepernick’s production the past two seasons has been inconsistent, to say the least. Other factors could be present in describing Kaepernick’s drop-off (turmoil with Jim Harbaugh and new coach last season) but still, he remains an upside player that has been trending down.

If Denver acquires Sam Bradford, the deal will certainly be met with skepticism from the fan base. Simply put, they don’t have a starting caliber quarterback on the roster right now and they likely won’t get one where they are picking in the draft this year. Bradford, like Kaepernick, represents a quarterback that could be more than just a one-year bridge QB. If things click this year, Bradford’s contract could be reworked for next season. If not, he will only have $4 million in dead cap money and the Broncos could move on to the next quarterback project. The Broncos have already made a call to see if Bradford is available, the time for a follow-up call will be Thursday night following the 2nd overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Ryan Edwards

@ryanedwards1043

TOP PHOTO CREDIT: Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports