NFL Free Agency update: Sam Bradford signs with Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals were in search of some quarterbacks. And they got one with the signing of former NFC West resident Sam Bradford.
A long time ago when rookie contracts were in a different stratosphere, the then-St. Louis Rams used the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to take University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. You may recall that the young signal-caller inked a six-year, $78.045 million contract (via Spotrac) with the franchise. He would go onto win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. After missing six games the following year, Bradford was again a 16-game starter in 2012.
Unfortunately, the now-veteran signal-caller has been unable to play an entire season since. He would be dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 and then traded to the Minnesota Vikings in ’16 and put up very respectable numbers with those clubs. But the injury bug bit him once again this past season and he wound up giving way to Case Keenum.
Now the former Sooner is saying later to the Twin Cities. He’s getting ready to head to the desert to join the Arizona Cardinals.
Contract details
Via a source, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the veteran signal-caller has inked a one-year, $20 million contract to play for Steve Wilks’ club. The deal also includes an option year at $20 million. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that Bradford’s contract was guaranteed at $15 million.
National reaction
The #AZCardinals are signing QB Sam Bradford to a 1-year deal worth $20M, source said, with an option year at $20M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2018
Sam Bradford to Arizona: 1-year for $20M, including $15M guaranteed; 1-year option for $20M, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2018
Is there some sort of rule that Sam Bradford can only play on NFL teams with birds or horns on their helmets?
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) March 13, 2018
Next: 2018 NFL Free Agent Tracker
Grade
The coincidence is somewhat amazing. Both the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings would have entered the free-agent period on Wednesday at 4:00 pm ET without a quarterback under contract that had made an NFL start. With Kirk Cousins agreeing to terms with the Purple Gang, Cards’ general manager Steve Keim had to act fast and get someone from the free-agent pool. And the team is obviously not done when it comes to addressing the position.
As for Bradford, the issue has been health. As it stands now, the Arizona offensive line has some issues to deal with as well. Can he stay on the field in 2018? It’s hard to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Grade: C