Coming to terms with Sam Bradford as Eagles starting quarterback

Now that a few days have passed since the end of the NFL Draft, the reality is finally beginning to sink in… Sam Bradford is the Eagles new starting quarterback.

Yes, the often-injured, overpaid gunslinger who hasn't completed a full season since 2012 is likely to be the Eagles opening day starting quarterback, now that Marcus Mariota has landed in Tennessee.

I'll admit, I still don't understand why Chip wanted to trade for the oft-injured Bradford. My assumption, like many other reporters and pundits, was Kelly wanted to use Bradford as a trading chip in order to land Mariota. Despite trying his hardest (and reportedly offering up half his roster), he wasn't able to pry a top pick away from either Tennessee or Tampa Bay.

What else would explain giving up a 2nd round pick, your starting quarterback for the past two years and increasing your starting quarterback salary by more than 753 percent to get a guy who (when healthy) has constantly underperformed in the NFL?

After all, before the trade there were rumors that the Rams were planning on releasing Bradford, who was considering retirement after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the second time in less than a year. A straight Foles-Bradford swap would've been bad enough, but giving up a second round pick on top of Foles now has a scent of desperation (much like overpaying for DeMarco Murray after Frank Gore reversed course).

Looking back at the offseason, I'm confused by some of Chip's moves on offense. Keep in mind his complete overhaul came to a unit that scored more points than just two other teams and finished 5th best in the league in total yards. So it's not as if he was working with terrible players or a system that didn't quite work.

And that's considering for most of the season, the Eagles aging offensive line was decimated with injuries. Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, Todd Herremans, Allen Barbre, Lane Johnson - all spent significant time off the field. Only left tackle Jason Peters managed to start all 16 games.

Considering Chip's choice at quarterback has had a history of injuries, the team doesn't seem the least bit concerned with the current offensive line situation. Not only did the Eagles not draft an offensive lineman for the second year in a row, Kelly released Todd Herremans and has started a media war with Evan Mathis, who he's reportedly tried to deal for two years. Neither have strong replacements waiting in the wings.

Don't get me wrong, I do like some of the moves Chip made. Drafting Nelson Agholor gives the offense a lot of flexibility and should make up for the loss of Maclin. And the focus on defense seems wise, considering the Eagles were only one of five defenses that allowed over 6,000 yards last season.

But the move to sign Bradford is still a head-scratcher to me. Maybe he'll return to his college form, come back healthy and stronger and lead the Eagles offense to new heights. Or maybe Mark Sanchez will be starting for an injured Bradford by week 2, with Tim Tebow backing him up. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Here's some cartoons I've drawn about this wild offseason: