Wentz arrives, but Bradford problem remains

This was Carson Wentz's day, but the Eagles couldn't avoid the other quarterback who wasn't in the room and hasn't been at the NovaCare Complex since requesting to be traded on Monday.

Nor should Howie Roseman and Doug Pederson have been allowed to avoid him after they made the unprecedented decision to move up to the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft for a quarterback when they already had an entrenched starter in place.

Whether you agree with Sam Bradford's reaction to what transpired last week or not - and it says here that he has overestimated his worth - what shouldn't be argued is that the Eagles did a poor job of anticipating the aftershocks of their franchise-altering trade.

Bradford shouldn't have been surprised that the Eagles made a play for Wentz - forfeiting first-, second- and third-round picks over the next three years - but it was a long shot. And when it came to fruition, he had a visceral response, knowing that his days in Philadelphia were likely limited to one more season.

Asked if they were disappointed by Bradford's reaction, Roseman - after the Eagles officially chose Wentz on Thursday night - stepped up to the podium and said, "I think, first of all, this is about Carson today. We just picked a kid second overall. That's kind of where our focus is."

It was a moment eerily similar to Andy Reid's deflecting questions about the departure of Brian Dawkins during the news conference introducing free agent Stacy Andrews. The current Eagles, after all, have been trying to recreate Reid's tenure since hiring Pederson as coach.

But Wentz will have his day, and months, and years. That is certain. And right now, the Eagles have themselves a predicament. They could honor Bradford's request, but they would likely be hindering their chances this season, and they likely won't receive ample compensation to offset a lost year.

Or they could stand firm, as Roseman said they would again Thursday, and risk having Bradford hold out through training camp or have him poison the well when he finally decides to return.

"No, Sam's our quarterback," Roseman said when asked if he would honor Bradford's demand, "and we've been clear about that from the first time we had this conversation."

The executive vice president of football operations declined to answer whether the Eagles have received any offers for Bradford. The Broncos have reportedly made a pitch and then reportedly backed off when the Eagles stated their price. They traded up for Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch in the first round.

It was always going to take a lot to pry Bradford away. Whatever the opinion of his abilities, the Eagles would likely need at least a second-round pick to equalize an $11 million salary-cap hit. They also believe they can win the NFC East. Otherwise, why re-sign Bradford, retain left tackle Jason Peters, and spend freely in free agency?

Bradford probably wouldn't have come back if the Eagles had set a clear path toward rebuilding. But he received only a two-year deal and could easily be traded next offseason without the Eagles taking on a severe cap hit.

Did the Eagles make promises they now haven't kept? Could they have done a better job of communicating their plans to Bradford?

"Not at all," Pederson said. "I'll tell you this: I was very open and honest, as was Howie, during this process. We let all of our quarterbacks know there was an opportunity there, and we were going to take advantage of it. And we did that."

Neither Pederson nor Roseman said that he has spoken to Bradford since his request. Roseman has surely spoken to his agent, Tom Condon, who has gone on a mini-public warpath to get his client out of Philly.

"I think that when you look at the draft, and whenever you're drafting guys in the first round, there are players that are affected," Roseman said. "This happens all around the National Football League. No matter what position we would have taken some veteran player would have been affected."

But it doesn't happen very often at quarterback, and, in fact, no team has ever traded as high and jumped as many spots with a de facto starter in place. The New York Giants moved up three spots to take Eli Manning first overall and gave up first-, third- and fifth-round picks. But the recently signed Kurt Warner had nowhere near the guarantee Bradford had.

Warner wasn't happy, but he didn't sulk and embraced the situation. Can Bradford save face with teammates and return by mandatory minicamp on June 7? Roseman and Pederson said the Eagles would embrace him "with open arms."

"He's the leader of this football team," Pederson said. "I've said all along, he's the quarterback. He's the guy that we want leading this charge."

But he's not leading anything right now. Workouts until then are only voluntary, but the Eagles have still gotten more than 95 percent attendance as Pederson implements a new offense and culture. The quarterback ideally should be present to assist with both.

Backup Chase Daniel knows Pederson's offense after three seasons with him in Kansas City. Bradford has experience with the West coast, but that was six years ago as a rookie and for only one year.

"It gives us an opportunity to give the other guys some time, some reps," Pederson said. "And, again, as soon as he gets back here, we plug him in, and we catch him up. He's a sharp kid. He's a smart kid. He'll be ready to go."

Wentz could beat him back. Rookie workouts start on May 13. While Warner took Manning under his wing, there have been quarterbacks circumstances similar to Bradford's who haven't been as accommodating. Brett Favre treated Aaron Rodgers like a ball boy. Donovan McNabb didn't exactly wrap his arms around Kevin Kolb.

Pederson said he wasn't worried about the dynamic.

"When you get a chance to meet Carson, you'll see that he's going to do everything that you ask him to do," Pederson said. "He's going to fit perfectly in that room. It's going to be a dynamic room. It's going to be some competition in there."

Eagles fans may be a different story.

jmclane@phillynews.com @Jeff_McLane