Many an eyebrow were raised when the contract details of newly acquired quarterback Chase Daniel were made public. The three-year/$21 million contract with incentives that could push that number to a whopping $36 million had many wondering if the recently re-signed Sam Bradford could be changing addresses before the ink on his Eagles contract could dry. Ultimately, Doug Pederson put that notion to rest, definitively stating that Bradford would be his starter going forward just moments before Daniel addressed the Philadelphia media for the first time.
Despite Pederson, his closest ally in his new home, stating this just moments before Daniel took the podium, one could hardly tell if the newest Eagles quarterback caught wind of his coach's declaration.
"I wouldn't be in the NFL if I didn't think I could be a starting quarterback…There are certain steps that you have to take and I look forward to competing here. The quarterbacks are going to be competing. The entire team is going to be competing.
That excerpt was taken from Daniel's introductory press conference given Thursday afternoon. The career backup to the likes of Drew Brees and Alex Smith was confident and demonstrative like one would expect from an individual who was groomed to play quarterback. Daniel starred at perennial high school power and quarterback factory Southlake Carroll before heading to Missouri and leading the Tigers to staggering success and even a number one ranking. He regaled those in attendance at the Novacare Complex with some of his stories from his time in the Big 12, facing off with the quarterback who currently sits ahead of him on the depth chart.
Chase Daniel said he goes way back with Sam Bradford. Played against him in college. Hung out during QB camps. Spoke here already.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 10, 2016
(h/t Jeff McLane for the condensed version)
Daniel was 0-2 against Bradford in his time at Missouri, including a loss when the Tigers were ranked first in the country.
Daniel went undrafted in 2009 and was signed by the Washington Redskins. He eventually latched on with the New Orleans Saints where another undersized quarterback by the name of Brees kept the notion of Daniel starting as a longshot at best. Despite the odds being stacked against him, Daniel did not shy away from demonstrating his competitive nature to the future Hall of Famer.
"I go back to my time in New Orleans when I was with Drew (Brees). I'm a second-year pro. He's a 10-year, nine-year vet, future Hall of Famer and I'm telling him every single day when I'm the backup that I'm coming to take your job, dude. I'm coming. I don't care if you're Drew Brees. I don't care who you are. My mindset's not going to change. We're the best of friends still to this day. It brought out the best in us. It made us closer and it made the team better."
After his time in New Orleans, Daniel latched on with the Kansas City Chiefs under new head coach Andy Reid. While Alex Smith was by no means a player with the stature of Brees, he was ultimately successful enough to keep Daniel on the bench where he developed a strong relationship with his future head coach: Doug Pederson. While the money had to have played a key role in his decision to sign with Philadelphia, one would have to think his ringing endorsement of Pederson also weighed in his decision to join the Eagles.
"It's not every day that you get to play in an offense under Doug Pederson, coach Frank [Reich], coach John [DeFillipo], that have all played in the NFL…[They] have all called plays in the NFL. That quarterback pedigree really excited me about what's going on here in Philadelphia."
(h/t to Matt Lombardo of NJ.com for the quote)
Ultimately, one has to take Pederson's word at face value that he would prefer that Sam Bradford be his starting quarterback week one of the 2016 NFL season. Pederson also noted that 'Iron sharpens iron' and that the quarterback position is one that thrives on competition. Daniel's stature, arm strength, and physicality have worked against him since stepping foot on an NFL field. Judging from his press conference, it is the intangibles that have allowed Daniel to remain in the league and get paid handsomely in doing so. If Bradford is under center when the Eagles start the regular season, one can bet Daniel did everything in his power to make him earn that distinction.
Somers Price is a contributor for Eagledelphia.com and can be followed on Twitter @somersprice
