According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford has been traded to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2017 first-round pick and a 2018 fourth-round pick.
The Vikings acted in desperation after the season-ending knee injury to starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, as Howie Roseman and the Eagles front office have reclaimed a coveted first-round selection in the 2017 NFL draft to be held in Philadelphia next spring.
While veteran Chase Daniel is expected to start the season as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback, the agreement with Minnesota means the beginning of the Carson Wentz era could come sooner than anticipated. Wentz will soon be fully healed from his hairline fracture to his ribs, and only experienced two quarters of game action this preseason. Perhaps the coaching staff didn’t feel that one half of preseason football against the Buc's third-team would be sufficient preparation for Wentz heading into 2017, considering the scaled back mode of training camp and NFL practices. If so, Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson will consider using Wentz in the second half of the 2016 regular season to ensure the rookie isn’t wide-eyed heading into his first full season as the starter.
Following the severe injury to Bridgewater, the Vikings Super Bowl odds dramatically decreased from 20:1 to 30:1 at many sports books. The acquiring of Sam Bradford means veteran journeyman Shaun Hill will resume his duties as backup, and the Vikings chances at taking home the Lombardi Trophy grow exponentially for the time being.
Months after demanding a trade and avoiding the Eagles voluntary workout program, Bradford finally gets his wish. The 2008 Heisman winner will reunite with Adrian Pederson, his college teammate at Oklahoma, as expectations are at an all-time high in Minnesota with the unveiling of brand new U.S. Bank Stadium, a billion dollar project.
Bradford will make his return to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Eagles in week 7.
Patrick Del Gaone is a staff writer for Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Del_Gaone.
