Sam Bradford Reports to Eagles Offseason Program on Monday

So much for Sam Bradford's holdout.

The Eagles' starting quarterback returned to the NovaCare Complex on Monday morning for voluntary workouts, and then released a statement through his agent.

Earlier on Monday morning, defensive end Connor Barwin said on 94 WIP that Bradford texted him to tell him he'd be returning to the team Monday.

This is obviously a departure from what Bradford's agent, Tom Condon, said recently, that Bradford would not return to the team's voluntary workout program.

Bradford's displeasure stems from the Eagles' decision to move up to the second spot in the draft to take quarterback Carson Wentz. While Bradford signed a two-year deal with $22 million guaranteed, he thought he had a chance to be the long-term quarterback for the team. The situation obviously changed when the Eagles selected Wentz.

So, Bradford stopped showing up to the voluntary workouts and requested a trade out of town, something the Eagles didn't want to do, so they didn't.

"At the end of the day, all that we really care about in the locker room is who is the best quarterback who is going to help us win games," Barwin said to WIP. "And I think right now, we're excited and we know we drafted Carson Wentz, but I think most of this locker room, or if not all of us, understand that Sam is our starting quarterback and he's going to be the best quarterback to help us win next year, so we're all excited to have him back."

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The Eagles still view Bradford as their starting quarterback. Perhaps it was the possibility of losing that role that persuaded Bradford to come back to the team now. While Bradford has been away, veteran Chase Daniel has been in the building working with the rest of his new teammates.

Shortly after the 2016 draft concluded, head coach Doug Pederson admitted Bradford was missing valuable time in his offense, and when asked if Bradford was in jeopardy of losing his starter status, Pederson replied, "I think it depends on how and when he does come back, and how fast we can catch him up and put him back in that situation and see where he's at, at that time."

Well, that time is now. It gives Bradford a full week before OTAs begin on May 17. For now, the Eagles are in Phase 2 of the offseason program. In Phase 2 - per the CBA - coaches are allowed on the field for position drills and drills with one side of the ball. They're not allowed to have team drills or one-on-ones, and no helmets are allowed. So Bradford will be on the field with the rest of the offense this week. The first opportunity reporters will have to ask Bradford questions will be on May 17. 

The first mandatory days of the offseason are from June 7-9. That's the first time Bradford could have been fined if he decided to hold out.

But it looks like that doesn't matter anymore.

"We mentioned before, [Bradford is] not going anywhere," Pederson said after the draft. "He's our guy, and we just look forward to the day that he comes back. It's unfortunate, the situation, but at the same time, it's also a voluntary process, as you know. You can't do much about that. The minute he comes back, we catch him up and we just keep going forward."

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