Sam Bradford met Carson Wentz and the world didn’t end!
Bradford and Wentz, the present and future of the Eagles' quarterback position, both participated in Tuesday’s voluntary practice in the rain at the NovaCare Complex (see Day 1 notes), their first day together on the practice field.
Wentz said all systems are go between him and Bradford. Despite Bradford’s two-week absence to protest the Eagles' drafting Wentz, the rookie QB — who’s here to eventually replace Bradford — is starting to build a solid working relationship with Bradford.
“There’s been no tension, there’s been none of that,” Wentz said. “It’s just we’re here to compete and just try to help this team get better.”
Wentz said his first meting with Bradford was uneventful — “we just talked football” — and said all three quarterbacks — Bradford, Chase Daniel and Wentz — are singularly focused on getting better individually and collectively.
That means they’re not focused on how long until Wentz replaces Bradford.
“It’s been really good with Sam, with Chase, a lot of good open conversation,” Wentz said. “We’re all trying to help this team get better.
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“Obviously Sam and I are both learning the system. Chase has been in it, obviously [with the Chiefs]. It’s been a really good atmosphere.”
Tuesday was the first day of practice this summer with the full team, so it was the first time Bradford and Wentz were on the field together.
But this is an unusual situation.
Head coach Doug Pederson reiterated what he’s said all spring — that Bradford remains the starter, Daniel is No. 2 and Wentz is No. 3 (see story).
So Bradford took reps with the first team, Daniel with the second team and Wentz with the third. All split the reps evenly, which is unusual. For now, Wentz is going to get more reps than a typical No. 3.
At some point, Wentz will play. But he said he’s not worried about when that’s going to happen.
“That’s not for me to decide,” he said. “Whatever Coach decides, feels is best for this team. It’s all about winning. I’m a competitor and I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team win ballgames, Sam’s going to do the same, Chase is going to do the same.
“That’s just how we’re going to do things around here. So we’ll see what happens.”
Bradford said Tuesday he won’t hesitate to help Wentz however he can (see story). That was important for him to make clear, considering all that’s happened and considering Bradford demanded a trade because of Wentz’s presence.
Wentz was certainly glad to hear it.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “I think it says a lot about this Eagles organization. It’s kind of how things are done around here. It’s all about winning and whatever’s going to help this team win and succeed, that’s going to happen, so with Sam, Chase and everybody, it’s just kind of how we do things.”
Wentz allowed that he thought about how things would go when he and Bradford first crossed paths.
“I thought about it, but I wasn’t worried,” he said. “I’m a pretty genuine guy, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about him, too.
“You guys made the stories out of it, but it’s been really good though since we got in here. Meeting Sam and meeting Chase and just finally getting out there on the field and practicing, it’s been really great.”
Wentz looked comfortable on his first day of NFL practice. He looked like he belonged.
“He was spinning it pretty good out there,” Daniel said. “He had a good day. He’s a very smart kid. They’ve thrown a lot at him, and he’s picked up everything so far.”
Wentz is coming from an NCAA Division I-AA program but said so far the transition hasn’t been a problem.
“I feel really comfortable with it,” he said. “I feel like I’m learning at a good pace. We’re not overloading too much right now. It’s take a good chunk, and learn it and digest it and go out there and do it.”
