The Eagles did the business they needed to this week, locking up starting quarterback Sam Bradford for the next two years.
But that won’t preclude them from adding to the depth chart this spring, as coach Doug Pederson said he hoped to add one in the draft, even if they can wait a little longer now.
“You have to continue to bring in competition,” Pederson said, via Matt Mullin of PhillyVoice.com. “You have to continue to develop every position, quarterback being, obviously, the focal point. You look forward into the draft, if there’s a guy there that you can develop and mature and bring along.
“You have to continue to create depth and competition at the position so it’s not out of the question. But at the same time, we have to make sure it’s the right fit for us.”
And of course, now that Bradford’s taken care of, it’s no longer necessary to force one with the 13th overall pick, which they might have had to do otherwise.
Asked about using his first-rounder on 13, Pederson immediately began backpedaling, saying: “Oh, I don’t know about at 13.” And he insisted that any pick of a passer wouldn’t undermine Bradford.
“He would have no problem with [us drafting a QB],” Pederson said. “And listen, you’re going to continue to develop your roster and you have to in the National Football League. You’ve got to stay two-deep or three-deep at some spots, and we’re going to continue to bring guys in, quarterback being one of them.
“That doesn’t mean he has to be the Day 1 starter as a rookie. So, again, if you can develop young talent, it just makes you better, especially later in the season when you need those guys.”
The Eagles owe Mark Sanchez $4.5 million for next season, but otherwise have just McLeod Bethel-Thompson on the roster. So they roster spot is there for a draft pick, so Pederson can potentially groom him for the time beyond Bradford’s latest deal.