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Report: Sam Bradford To Play Out Final Year Of Contract

By Andrew Porter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Chip Kelly gambled when he swapped Nick Foles for the injury-prone quarterback Sam Bradford this offseason, in a highly controversial trade with the St. Louis Rams. Now, Bradford is doubling-down on himself.

According to the NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Bradford "plans to play out the final year of his contract, according to a source.

"Bradford is essentially betting on himself by not signing an extension now," the report states. "If he stays healthy and plays well, he could maximize dollars later."

Since Kelly and his fast-paced offense has taken over as head coach in 2013, the Eagles are one of just two NFL teams that have finished top-five in both yards and points in each of the last two seasons. Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos is the other.

In Kelly's first season, Foles---a 2012 third-round pick (No. 88 overall) of Andy Reid's Eagles---recorded an absurd plus-25 touchdown-to-interception differential (27 TD-2 INT) in 13 games, compiling a 119.2 QB rating and leading the Eagles to a home playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.

Bradford, 27, is due about $13 million in 2015---the final year of his six-year rookie deal worth $78.045 million. Bradford, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner and 2010 No. 1 overall pick, has played in just seven games over the last two seasons due to back-to-back ACL tears and is just 18-31 in 49 career starts with the Rams.

The Birds, with the help of Kelly's sports science approach, have finished among the top-five least effected NFL teams to injury in 2013 (first) and 2014 (fifth).

Bradford hopes to rejuvenate his career in Philadelphia. He enters 2015 training camp as one of the top storylines and most polarizing players in the league.

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