Bradford ‘Hot’ Over Eagles Move To Get QB

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) — The Eagles had an open locker room period before their voluntary mini-camp practice Wednesday and everything was copacetic in Sam Bradford's world.

Hours later it was anything but as the news broke that the Eagles sent a king's ransom to Cleveland in order to move up six spots in the draft to choose Bradford's successor as the team's starting quarterback, presumably North Dakota State's Carson Wentz.

Predictably, Bradford was not exactly thrilled with the news.

"He’s hot,” a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. “Who wouldn’t be? This is Philly saying, ‘We don’t see (you) as long-term answer.’ He’s mad and wants to show everyone who is best."

Bradford's glorified two-year contract extension should have already foreshadowed that was the Eagles' thinking but it's one thing to know the organization has doubts and you will get the opportunity to change that thinking versus understanding you're simply a placeholder.

Some may find Bradford's reaction to today's developments admirable but it's also fruitless because you don't take quarterbacks with the No. 2 overall pick in this league without that intention that they are your future.

There are exceptions to every rule of course and there's at least a chance for Bradford to play at such a high level that the Eagles think about spinning off the younger asset in a few years but the chances of that are slim and none considering the Oklahoma product's past resume.

And slim has already packed his bag and called for his Uber.

For the Eagles themselves, this dangerous game with Bradford's psyche is an attempt to serve two masters by rebuilding yet still staying competitive and relevant in a poor division.

"Let me be clear – Sam Bradford is our starting quarterback,” Eagles executive VP of football operations Howie Roseman said after the trade was completed Wednesday. “We’ve told Sam that. We intend to support him, and the moves we’ve made this offseason we believe will give us a chance to compete this season."

So Bradford's new job title is the bridge for 2016, meaning the incoming rookie will be spending his inaugural year under the learning tree with little pressure because the team also has a proven backup in Chase Daniel.

Just a day earlier Bradford was at his locker downplaying the potential addition of a first-round pick at his position on April 28.

“That’s a little above my pay grade,” Bradford deadpanned when asked if he was concerned about the Eagles moving up in the draft to select a potential franchise signal caller.

“…I learned a long time ago to stay away from that kind of stuff,” the QB continued. “It’s not the first time I’ve gone through a situation like this. I think I learned a long time ago not to worry about anything I can’t control.”

Now that he's officially been marginalized, it's probably a good time to worry.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973ESPN.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen