Philadelphia Eagles Want to Go With Sam Bradford; Not Pursuing Marcos Mariota Anymore

In recent weeks the talk out of Philadelphia has been that Chip Kelly was trying to make the Eagles the NFL's version of the Oregon Ducks. According to the rumor mill the team was going to do whatever it took to trade up in the draft so that the Eagles could take former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Who knows how to run a Chip Kelly system better, right?

But then the Eagles went and traded Nick Foles and a couple of draft picks to the St Louis Rams for Sam Bradford and a draft pick. WTF?

via Twitter

Talk about crazy, right? Or was it genius? There has been plenty of talk in NFL circles that many of the teams picking in the top of the draft that are QB-deficient are sold more on Bradford than Mariota. If that is indeed the case picking up Bradford could be the key piece that would reunite Mariota and Kelly.

However, it appears that is not what the Eagles are thinking after all:

From what I'm hearing, the #Eagles acquired Sam Bradford as the guy to run Chip Kelly's offense. They believe in him. Don't expect a trade.
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) March 11, 2015

Bradford has not been able to get it done in St. Louis, but he was lacking talent most of the time he was there. The last couple of seasons when the team finally got some he was hurt (missed all but seven games in 2013 with an ACL injury; tore same ACL in first preseason game last season).

But what talent does Philly have now that Chip Kelly has traded it all away?

Jordan Mathews is an exceptional talent. Two seasons ago Riley Cooper was pretty good, but was overshadowed by the emergence of Jeremy Maclin last season (who is now gone). The team is without a marquee running back, but the Eagles have been attached to rumors about every quality free agent running back. Brent Celek is a fairly decent receiving threat at tight end as well.

Chances are Chip Kelly is far from done. If he is going to be able to take advantage of the size, arm, and touch that he sees in Bradford he is going to need to give his QB the weapons he needs. Right now he is kind of lacking.

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