National Football League

Eagles' Chip Kelly & Sam Bradford: In like, but not love

Published May. 5, 2015 9:08 p.m. ET

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By Matt Chatham

This NFL offseason has been a weird one in Trade Rumor Land, and thePhiladelphia Eagles are the unquestioned ruler of that mythical kingdom.  From an NFL media standpoint, I thank them for that. Rarely do you see NFL teams swap starting quarterbacks, as the Eagles and Rams did back in March when they flipped QBs Nick Foles & Sam Bradford along with some draft compensation.

The weird saga continued on with multiple reports of Eagles head coachChip Kelly aggressively exploring (both with Tampa and Tennessee) to possibility of moving up in the draft to select his old college quarterback at Oregon, Marcus Mariota. The price approached "half your locker room," so the Eagles prudently balked and went another direction.    

In the draft aftermath, Kelly attempted to soften the view on his team's spelunking the market on MMQB with Peter King, the column stating:

"The Eagles, as Kelly said Thursday night in Philadelphia, never offered players as part of a package to obtain Mariota. In fact, The MMQB learned Thursday night that Kelly never offered the widely rumored packages of either three first-round picks or two first-round picks and Sam Bradford, in an attempt to obtain the second pick of the draft. I can tell you this much is true: The Titans basically scared off suitors because they continually told teams they wanted to take Mariota, and it would take a stupid offer to obtain the pick. In the end, Tennessee GM Ruston Webster and coach Ken Whisenhunt stuck to their guns."

Most of this particular piece was dedicated to an "it was never going to happen" theme from the Titans' point of view, which adds another side to the tale. But from a player's perspective like Sam Bradford, who stood (and now stands) as the presumptive Eagles starting quarterback, none of that probably matters. All that likely registered is his new team wanted - and aggressively shopped for - an opportunity to get a quarterback other than himself. Whether or not the price got too high is besides the point.  

But so what? Sam Bradford now knows, that in a perfect world, he's not his team's first choice at his position. Which basically means he's now like just about every other player in the NFL. 

What this situation highlights is the sneaky, but rarely acknowledged reality in the NFL that there's someone preferable out there for the vast majority of players in this league.  All that separates most guys from having to confront that uncomfortable truth is the existence of contracts and enough teams out there that nobody ever gets the precise 53 guys they'd get in a vacuum. That may sound cynical, but it's actually rather empowering for a player from my point of view.  

We've all heard Bill Belichick say in a number of different ways that he wouldn't rather have any other quarterback than Tom Brady lead his team. He may be one of only a couple coaches in the NFL who can actually state that honestly. But the reality is, there will come a point where that will no longer be true. Granted, it's starting to look like Brady may be 50 when that happens... but it will happen. 

As a player, your relationship with a team can absolutely be one of mutual respect. But that doesn't mean the bedrocks of circumstance and supply aren't always there as well. You never need focus on the illusion that your team "loves you." You just have to make the most of your opportunity - what is essentially our sports' version of a mutually beneficial relationship of convenience.

Contracts give players a sense of security and 'belonging' to an organization. But there's a reason contract terms don't extend into eternity. When there's a better option - whether it be for price or production - any team will take it. As a player, deep down you must know this. But to steal a Guns & Roses phrase from the 90's, you have to "use your illusion." Every NFL player must make the most of their situation as it seems, and not focus on what it really is.   

At the end of the day, NFL contracts aren't marriages. It's not love... it'slike for a price. As a player, you can have a deep admiration for your team, your coaches, and the city you play in. I certainly did. But your love is reserved for your teammates, and family that can unconditionally reciprocate. That's not cynicism, it's just how it is.  

The sooner a player realizes this, the more mental freedom they have to go out and be the best football player they can possibly be. Everyone benefits in the end. 

Does Chip Kelly "love" Sam Bradford as his quarterback?  Obviously no, but that's OK. Sam has an opportunity to go out and kick some ass in a wide-open offensive system and convince the Eagles to extend their contractual "like."

That's all you can really ask for as a player in this league. An opportunity to make the most of the illusion.

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