Sam Bradford unconcerned about Eagles drafting a first-round quarterback

In the Eagles' rearranged locker room, the quarterback stalls are on the left in front. Sam Bradford has a corner locker. Chase Daniel is next to him. And then there's an empty stall, seemingly reserved for a player to be named later.

That quarterback might be a first-round pick — the speculation about Carson Wentz will continue until draft day — and almost certainly will come at some point in the draft. The earlier the player is selected, the more the choice will complicate Bradford's future. The Eagles re-signed Bradford to a two-year, $35 million deal last month, but most of the salary-cap burden comes in the first year.

That means Bradford's eventual replacement might take the empty locker. Don't count Bradford among those curious or concerned, though.

"I really don't pay attention to any of that stuff," Bradford said. "If it happens, it's something I'll deal with when it happens. But if it doesn't happen, there's really no sense in wasting time or thought or energy on that."

Bradford said he has dealt with these questions before. When he joined the Eagles last season, there was already speculation that he was a trade chip to acquire Marcus Mariota. Before the St. Louis Rams traded the No. 2 overall draft pick to the Washington Redskins in 2012, there was debate about whether Bradford should be the one who was dealt.

And even though the draft captivates the attention of football fans this time of year, Bradford said he has not cared about it since he was picked first in 2010. He doesn't know Wentz or Jared Goff. And he says he isn't worried about one of them threatening his spot on the team.

"I learned a long time ago to stay away from that kind of stuff," Bradford said. "It's not the first time I've gone through a situation like this."

When asked if he has discussed the draft plans with the higher-ups, Bradford said he has not because "that's a little above my grade."

Technically, there's little above his pay grade in the Eagles' facility. But Bradford has often repeated that he does not worry about what he cannot control, so he's focusing on something that's finally within his control: Participating in offseason workouts.

Bradford has not been a full participant in spring workouts since 2013. His last two offseasons were spent rehabbing knee injuries. That's why Bradford was excited about the Eagles' first practice in a three-day voluntary minicamp on Tuesday.

"It's been a long time since I've had just a normal offseason," Bradford said. " It's great. It's extra reps, especially learning a new system — being able to go out there today and be able to participate 100 percent, not being limited, to be able to get out there and go through the calls, make decisions. The more reps you get, the more comfortable you become."

He was also able to decompress during the last few months instead of spending the year focusing on his health. Bradford added strength to his lower body and took a break from football. He even got engaged. It allowed him to return energized for the next few months.

Bradford is beginning to learn Doug Pederson's scheme. There's some carryover from schemes he has run in the past and some new concepts that he's learning this spring. He'll also need to get used to a new play-calling structure and a different tempo.

One advantage Bradford has over last season is familiarity with his personnel. The Eagles return their four leading receiving threats from last season, and two of them — Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz — spent a week with Bradford at his Oklahoma home last month.

"They hit me up a few weeks before they came and they were like, 'We talked, we're coming to Oklahoma', and I'm like, 'OK, cool, bring it on,' " Bradford said. "Those guys always want to work. They always want to get throws in. I'm glad that they came out. We had a good time. Hopefully this summer we'll get a few more guys to come out to Oklahoma and maybe get a little bigger workout in."

One player who is gone is running back DeMarco Murray, a close friend of Bradford's. Bradford said Murray remains one of his best friends, but he understands that the team thought it was best to move on.

The Eagles added Daniel as the backup quarterback. Bradford said he was excited about Daniel's arrival because it helps to have someone with an understanding of the system.

Daniel is the No. 2 quarterback — even with a three-year, $21 million contract. And no matter who fills that third locker stall, Bradford is expected to be the starter this season. He's not worried about who else joins, and he believes the coaching staff and front office are behind him.

"All the conversations I had before free agency, after the season, with people in this building, I feel very good about their thoughts on me and my situation here," Bradford said.