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When the Minnesota Vikings lost Teddy Bridgewater for the season with a dislocated knee, they had to do something. Though they expressed confidence in backup Shaun Hill, it was largely assumed that they would be trading for a quality back-up quarterback. Saturday morning they consummated a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Sam Bradford.
Minnesota Vikings are trading for Eagles' QB Sam Bradford, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2016
The Eagles, who will now be going into the season with Chase Daniel and rookie Carson Wentz at quarterback, didn't let their nominal starter go easily. They received "significant compensation".
Final terms: A #Vikings 1st rounder n 2017 and a 4th rounder for #Eagles QB Sam Bradford.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 3, 2016
Despite being the host city for the 2017 NFL Draft, the Eagles didn't have a first-round pick. This trade changes that. And despite Bradford having significant starting experience, this is a risky trade for Minnesota.
Bradford has a significant injury history of his own -- going back to his college career at Oklahoma. Giving up a first- and fourth-round pick is a lot for a quarterback who has never been to the playoffs, and has only twice played a full season. But as they say, desperate times call for desperate measures.