The consensus remains that the Minnesota Vikings overpaid dramatically for Sam Bradford, sending a first-round pick and a fourth-round pick (that could turn into a third-round pick if the Vikings make the playoffs or a second-rounder if the team wins the Super Bowl) to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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And while it was generally assumed maybe that's just what the pricetag was to get Bradford, Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman admitted he was tossing out a high number just to see what the response was. And it certainly wasn't what he expected, via MMQB.
"When we talked [earlier Thursday], I said to Rick, "Rick, this is going to be a premium." It had to include their first-round pick in 2017 [Philly had traded its 2017 in a package to be able to draft rookie quarterback Carson Wentz], plus something else. I didn't think they'd consider that. We talked about it, but I wasn't thinking it was very serious."
Is it possible Minnesota could have acquired Bradford without giving up its first-round pick? Who knows at this point. But the idea Roseman didn't think Minnesota would consider sending its first-rounder, and possibly could have been talked down is simply bad negotiating on Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman's part.
Spielman acknowledged the price tag for other quarterbacks around the league was a first-rounder and some of the team's core players, seemingly becoming resigned to adding the team's 2017 first-rounder.
Whether it pays off for the Vikings remains to be seen. It's arguably the best offensive unit Bradford has played with, and instantly puts Minnesota back into the conversation as a playoff contender.
