As the Eagles began OTAs on Tuesday, the burning question remained focused on the quarterback position.
Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel and Carson Wentz took the field together for the first time on Tuesday morning at NovaCare Complex for the first practice of OTAs.
New head coach Doug Pederson has been adamant on the point that Sam Bradford is going to be the starting quarterback at the start of the season. Nothing changed as the Eagles took the field for the first time on Tuesday.
"Sam's still the starter," Pederson said. "Carson has a long way to go in our system."
This was only Day 1 for everyone, Pederson included as the new head coach, so there is time for things to change. That said, Pederson has remained firm on this point all offseason, and stressed that to Bradford upon his return last week.
"My feelings haven't changed," Pederson said. "He's my guy. He's the No. 1 guy. I just want him to embrace that.
"I expect Sam not to look over his shoulder. I expect him to look forward. He's the guy. He's getting himself ready for Cleveland."
As for Carson Wentz, when the Eagles took the field on Tuesday, Wentz was the third-string quarterback behind Bradford and Chase Daniel. Nothing has changed there either.
"My plan is to keep developing Carson," Pederson said. "It's Sam, Chase, Carson. Carson has a lot to learn, not only the playbook, but on how to be a professional quarterback. That's the beauty of having two veteran quarterbacks."
There were two notable absences from the first day of OTAs. These workouts are voluntary, but Fletcher Cox remained away from Eagles camps and Darren Sproles was also not in attendance.
Cox is dealing with a contract dispute. Pederson said he has reached out several times, but has not spoken with Cox yet.
Pederson has kept in touch with Sproles, who is currently at home on the west coast while the Eagles deal with trade rumors surrounding the veteran running back. Pederson not only expressed a lack of desire to trade Sproles, but said he expects him to be present for mandatory camps.
But this was a day where Pederson made it a point to once again address the quarterbacks. Bradford will face the media for the first time since returning later on Tuesday afternoon. Wentz made his first appearance on the field for team drills. There was plenty to speculate about.
Pederson cleared that up, at least for now, with an affirmative statement about where Bradford and Wentz line up.
You can view Pederson's press conference in its entirety below.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
