Sam Bradford NFL Career Overview
Sam Bradford played quarterback in the National Football League from 2010 to 2018 after being selected first overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2008, and entered the league as the expected franchise quarterback for multiple teams. Bradford started 76 regular-season NFL games and posted a career passer rating of 83.8, with 16,746 passing yards, 84 touchdowns, and 51 interceptions, according to Pro Football Reference Sam Bradford player page.
The St. Louis Rams traded Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, where he started 10 games and helped the team reach the playoffs that season. He later played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2016 and 2017, serving primarily as a backup and short-yardage replacement while earning a Super Bowl ring when the Vikings reached Super Bowl LVII. Bradford's final NFL action came with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, where he appeared in two games before retiring from the league.
Sam Bradford Contracts and Earnings
Sam Bradford signed a six-year contract worth up to $78 million with the St. Louis Rams after being drafted first overall in 2010, with approximately $50 million guaranteed at signing. The deal made him one of the highest-paid rookies in NFL history at the time, with a guaranteed average annual value of roughly $8.3 million over the first three seasons. Bradford later signed a one-year deal worth up to $20 million with the Minnesota Vikings in 2016, with $9 million guaranteed, and a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 Sam Bradford contract details.
Throughout his NFL career, Bradford earned an estimated $80 million in total salary and guaranteed money across multiple contracts. His largest single-season payout came in 2011 with the Rams, when he earned approximately $16.5 million in base salary and bonuses after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Bradford's earnings placed him among the top-earning quarterbacks in the league during his prime years, though injuries and performance fluctuations limited his long-term earning potential compared to peers who maintained starting roles for longer periods.
Sam Bradford Career Statistics and Legacy
Sam Bradford's career NFL statistics include 16,746 passing yards, 84 touchdowns, and 51 interceptions across 76 starts, with a career completion percentage of 61.7%. He led the league in passing touchdowns in 2013 with the Eagles, throwing 26 touchdowns and 1 interception in 10 starts, while posting a passer rating of 109.1 that season. Bradford also rushed for 1,622 career yards and 10 touchdowns, using his mobility to extend plays and contribute in short-yardage situations Sam Bradford NFL stats page.
Sam Bradford's legacy in the NFL centers on his early promise as a franchise quarterback and his role as a reliable backup and situational starter for several playoff-caliber teams. He is remembered for winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2010, earning Pro Bowl consideration in 2013, and contributing to the Vikings' run to Super Bowl LVII in 2017. Bradford's career trajectory illustrates the impact of injuries and roster decisions on quarterback development, and he remains a frequently cited example of a high draft pick who