The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the game’s highest-paid quarterbacks in Sam Bradford, as well as one of the league’s most heavily hyped young quarterbacks in Carson Wentz. Naturally, many expect Bradford to carry the torch until Wentz is ready. And thus few are talking about the team’s other experienced, handsomely-paid quarterback, Chase Daniel.
But it’s important to keep in mind that Daniel, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, was handpicked to join the roster by new Eagles head coach and former Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, and he’s due to make a hefty $21 million over the next three years.
So don’t be surprised if the former Missouri star finds a way to sneak onto the field in 2016. Because Bradford has for years struggled with injuries and a lack of consistency, Wentz likely isn’t ready to make a jump from North Dakota State, and the Eagles can’t be expected to display oodles of patience at this point.
With plenty of talent elsewhere, fans craving their first championship since 1960 won’t tolerate it. If Bradford doesn’t deliver early — or even this summer — the pressure will be on.
Daniel has thrown just 77 passes in his six NFL seasons, but his passer rating is just 0.8 points lower than Bradford’s, and his completion percentage is 4.8 points higher.
“There’s a reason they brought me here. It wasn’t necessarily to just sit on the bench and not push people for starting jobs,” Daniel said earlier this month, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. “But I think there’s a fine line there. I’m a professional. I’ve been in about every situation you could possibly be in. . . . So I have a clear view of what’s expected of me and the funny thing is I expect even more out of myself.”
Yes, Pederson says that Bradford is his guy right now. But this is the NFL, where the majority of starting quarterbacks are only safe until they attempt their next throw. So don’t be surprised if Daniel eventually gets a shot.
