Eagles trade Sam Bradford to Vikings for 1st-, 4th-rd picks

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The Sam Bradford era in Philadelphia is over.

The Eagles have traded their starting quarterback to the Minnesota Vikings for a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick, the team announced. ESPN first reported the trade.

The Vikings found themselves in desperate need of a quarterback after Teddy Bridgewater was lost for the season. Desperate enough to give the Eagles a first-round draft pick in 2017 and a fourth-round pick in 2018. Since the Eagles are getting a 2017 first-rounder, it means the Eagles now have one for the draft they'll host in the spring. According to a source, the fourth-rounder in 2018 can become a third-rounder if the Bradford-led Vikings reach the NFC championship game, in which case the Eagles would return a seventh-rounder. It can become a second-rounder if the Vikings win the Super Bowl.

The ending of the Sam Bradford era, of course, means the beginning of the Carson Wentz era isn't far off.

Wentz was taken by the Eagles with the No. 2 overall pick this spring, but the plan was for him to use 2016 as a redshirt season. That plan has likely changed now. The Eagles still have Chase Daniel under contract and the veteran will likely start until Wentz is ready.

When will that be? Well, in 1999 when head coach Doug Pederson was the starter in front of quarterback-in-waiting Donovan McNabb, it took about half the season. Of course, this Eagles team is supposed to be better than Andy Reid's first year as head coach in 1999. That was the plan, at least, with Bradford at quarterback.

After reportedly informing McLeod Bethel-Thompson of his release Saturday, the Eagles are down to two quarterbacks, so it seems they'll either change their mind, add a different quarterback or keep just two.

Bradford, who was acquired during last offseason from the Rams in the Nick Foles deal, played just one season in Philadelphia. After signing a new two-year, $36 million deal this offseason, he won't play another snap for the Eagles. During the spring, Bradford stayed away from the Eagles' voluntary program and requested a trade. Eventually, he returned to the team and turned his focus to the 2016 season. Now, his request has been honored months later.

During his one season in Philadelphia, Bradford started 14 games and threw for 3,725 yards, with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He was considerably better in the second half of the 2015 season. His 3,725 yards rank as the fourth-best season in Eagles history. Bradford will account for $5.5 million the Eagles' salary cap for this season and next season, which means a cap savings of $7 million in 2016 and $17 million in 2017. 

In Minnesota, Bradford will be reunited with his former offensive coordinator in St. Louis and Philadelphia, Pat Shurmur, who is the Vikings' tight ends coach. Both former Eagles will be back in Philadelphia for a Week 7 matchup at the Linc on Oct. 23.

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