James Bradberry Back With the Eagles on a 3-Year Deal
The consensus coming into the off-season was that there was no way the Eagles could hold onto James Bradberry. He played too well and would be too expensive. Let this be a listen for you boys and girls, never count Howie Roseman out. Because the Eagles All-Pro Cornerback is returning to don the Midnight Green Jerseys. He and the Eagles agreed to a 3-year extension worth up to $44 million. $20 million of which is guaranteed. First reported by Adam Schefter.
It is huge shocking news given that he was often dubbed the least likely of the Eagles’ free agents to return. Everyone believed he was out of the Eagles’ price range. But over the past week, things did seem to shift. Once Darius Slay was given permission to seek a trade, many speculated that could put the Eagles back in the James Bradberry market. But it was still a massive longshot. James Bradberry talked about how important it was for him to get paid as a top corner. And it never felt like the Eagles could give him that money. But the two sides figured out a way to make it happen.
James Bradberry released a statement of why he chose to return to Philly, through Josina Anderson.
CB James Bradberry to me on why he returned to Philly: pic.twitter.com/wu2ZSCoaCh
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 14, 2023
James Bradberry signed with the Eagles last off-season on a year-one prove-it deal. And he definitely proved it. He was named to the Second Team All-Pro roster. And while Darius Slay felt like the bigger name coming into the season, it was Bradberry who ranked at the top of the league in lowest passer rating against. He had 3 interceptions and was 3rd in the league with 17 pass deflections.
What happens next is unclear. Darius Slay is still on the trade market, and CJ Gardner-Johnson is still a free agent. We will await to see what impact this move has on those players returning. The initial talk is that this doesn’t mean they are out of bringing those guys back. But for now, the Eagles made sure they kept at least one piece from the Star-Studded secondary from last season.