To stay in contention in the NFC North -- and in the Super Bowl race -- the Minnesota Vikings made the bold move of trading for quarterback Sam Bradford.
The price was steep -- a first-round pick next year and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2018 -- but the move was needed. Teddy Bridgewater suffered an ACL tear and a dislocation in his knee Tuesday, and the nine- to 12-month recovery puts in question his availability to start the 2017 season.
The trade for Bradford creates significant winners and losers. Let's break them down:
Winners
Sam Bradford, QB, Minnesota Vikings: His situation is so much better in Minnesota. The Vikings are Super Bowl contenders because they have a defense that will keep opponents under 20 points per game, and they have Adrian Peterson in the backfield. If Bradford can get into the playoffs and win a game or two, he might live up to his $18 million-a-year contract. He also won't have to worry about job security like he would in Philadelphia; Bradford walked out of organized team activities after the Eagles drafted Carson Wentz, sensing he would be released or traded after the season. Sure, the pressure is on, but Bradford has the best surrounding talent around him in his career. Let's see if he can finally realize his potential.
Howie Roseman, GM, Philadelphia Eagles: Roseman showed once again he's one of the most innovative front office executives in the league. During the offseason, he made two trades that moved the Eagles up in the first round of the draft, allowing them to draft Wentz, their quarterback of the future, No. 2 overall. After signing Bradford to a two-year deal at a salary many people around the league thought was too much, Roseman ended up getting the last laugh. He turned Bradford into first- and fourth-round picks, replacing the first-rounder he gave to Cleveland to move up in the draft. Now the Eagles' cap picture looks clearer, too.
Cleveland Browns: With Chase Daniel now at quarterback for Philadelphia, the Eagles will likely struggle offensively. That could lead to fewer wins. If that's the case, the Browns could net a top-10 pick in next year's draft because they own the Eagles' first-rounder. Figuring the Browns are going to be drafting in the top three because they are in the rebuilding mode, and they could have two top-10 picks in 2017.
Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles: Wentz will take over as the starting quarterback when the regular season begins if he has sufficiently recovered from his rib injury, sources told ESPN. He's still raw, but he has help. Doug Pederson and the offensive coaching staff will make sure he develops.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings: Peterson has to be elated because the organization showed him it wants to win a Super Bowl. Peterson is the best back of his generation, but he doesn't have the rings to show for it. Not making a bold move at quarterback would have put him in position to be a workhorse back whose best hope was getting a wild-card spot in the playoffs. There was no way the Vikings would beat out Green Bay in the NFC North with Shaun Hill at quarterback. And Peterson gets to play with a fellow Oklahoma prospect, too, though he and Bradford never played together in college.
The NFC North: Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit and Chicago play the NFC East this season. If the Eagles aren't as good without Bradford and the Dallas Cowboys aren't as good going from an injured Tony Romo to Dak Prescott, NFC North teams could figure on going at least 3-1 in those games.
Washington Redskins and New York Giants: The Eagles aren't going to be in contention for the division title, and the Cowboys lose a step without Romo. The NFC East could be a two-team race between the Redskins and Giants.
Losers
Eagles fans: The trade of Bradford means the Eagles are looking to the future and will concede that the team probably won't be a division contender in 2016. The roster has plenty of good blue-chip starters, but there are depth problems. Plus, the Eagles aren't very good at wide receiver and have question marks in the backfield. The front seven is good, but the team might struggle to score points. The best-case scenario might be a six- or seven-win season.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings: The Bradford trade means the Vikings have serious questions about Bridgewater's availability to start next season. Bradford's contract next season has a $4 million guarantee and $17 million in salary, plus a $4 million roster bonus. Bridgewater's injury is nasty. The way the Bradford contract is structured, the Vikings can keep him as the starter going into next year, and that could put Bridgewater's career on hold.
Mark Sanchez, QB, Denver Broncos: Losing the Vikings as an option pretty much seals his role as just being a backup in 2016. His only hope is going to the Cowboys, but they seem intent on starting Prescott until Romo comes back.
Jason Peters, LT, Philadelphia Eagles: Peters has been a great player for the Eagles, but he's 34 and the clock is ticking. All proud players would like to go out as winners, and it will be a struggle for the Eagles to win this season. Peters also knows Lane Johnson, the right tackle, was given a big contract to eventually move to left tackle. Peters has to hope he plays well enough and the Eagles win enough that he can get a chance to play next year.
NFC teams hoping to get the final wild-card spot: The Bridgewater injury gave other teams in the NFC hopes of getting a wild-card berth in the playoffs. Arizona and Seattle are the best teams in the NFC, and both should make the playoffs. Green Bay and Carolina are the favorites in their divisions, and the NFC East could be a nine-win division and could be the fourth seed. Putting Bradford on the Vikings means they are alive in the NFC North race and puts them way ahead of teams hoping to snag the final playoff spot.