The Philadelphia Eagles are playing an interesting game with Sam Bradford, as well as the rest of the NFL.
The Eagles, who signed their 2015 starting quarterback to a two-year, $35 million contract last week, just went out and signed Kansas City Chiefs backup Chase Daniel to a three-year, $21 million contract, with $12 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.
Eagles Show Least Amount Of Confidence In Sam Bradford With Two-Year Deal
And he's going to get every opportunity to compete with Bradford, in which case Daniel can earn as much as $36 million.
"NFL Media's Albert Breer reports that the Eagles plan to give Daniel every chance to take the starting job from Bradford," NFL.com reported. "Daniel was not necessarily signed to be a backup.
Not Re-Signing Sam Bradford Could Ruin Eagles In 2016
"Finances dictate that Daniel is the heavy underdog in any competition. Bradford is being paid $36 million over the next two seasons, which would be a crazy amount for a backup. Even assuming Bradford wins the Week 1 job, don't be surprised if Daniel winds up playing a key role for the Eagles."
The Eagles signed Bradford in part because of the strong support he received from his teammates in the offseason.
But Daniel knows new coach Doug Pederson's offensive scheme, the two having been together in Kansas City with the Chiefs for the last three years.
Pederson may have protected Daniel in giving Bradford his contract.
"The pressure on the Eagles would be immense if they moved on from Bradford and went with Daniel," ESPN reported. And that pressure would lead to an explosion if Daniel, who has thrown 77 passes in his six-year NFL career, did not succeed as a starting quarterback."
Meanwhile, Pro Football Talk indicated that the Eagles could move on from Bradford after the 2016 season with minimal impact to the Eagles' salary cap.
"Besides, a two-year commitment isn't really all that significant, especially since the Eagles could stop the bleeding at $18 million for one year, assuming the $4 million in 2017 guaranteed money carries with it an offset obligation, which would give Philadelphia credit for what Bradford earns elsewhere," Pro Football Talk reported.
But Bradford's contract may have contributed to Brock Osweiler jilting the Super Bowl champion Broncos for the Houston Texans, who gave him $18 million per year over four years -- though not wanting to follow in Peyton Manning's legacy and anger over getting benched in favor of Peyton Manning also may have been involved in the decision.
Bradford's money also could have led to Ryan Fitzpatrick electing to become a free agent instead of signing with the New York Jets.
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