Doug Pederson: QB Sam Bradford 'top-notch', fits system perfectly

— -- PHILADELPHIA -- With the biggest decision of the  Philadelphia Eagles' offseason made, new coach Doug Pederson can focus on the next major decision facing the team.

Quarterback Sam Bradford, obtained in a trade last March, is scheduled to become a free agent unless he is signed to a new contract or placed under the franchise tag. Pederson, who was officially introduced as the Eagles' new head coach Tuesday, said Bradford will "fit perfectly" into his planned offensive approach.

"I think Sam's a quality quarterback," Pederson said Tuesday. "I think he's a top-notch quarterback. Look what he did that last half of the season, the numbers he was able to put up. As a quarterback, he would fit perfectly with a system that I'm going to bring."

Over his last seven games, Bradford completed 68.2 percent of his passes (176-of-258) for 1,959 yards. Bradford threw 10 touchdown passes and four interceptions for a passer rating of 97.0.

After the final game of the regular season, Bradford said he would consider signing a new contract with the Eagles. He also said the Eagles' choice of a new head coach to replace Chip Kelly would weigh heavily in his decision-making. Bradford endorsed offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur for the head-coaching position.

On Tuesday, Pederson said he was still deciding on his offensive coordinator. Shurmur is still in consideration for a job on his staff, Pederson said.

Shurmur was offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams in 2010, when Bradford was taken with the first pick of that year's draft. Bradford had success in Shurmur's offensive system, which, like Pederson's, is an offshoot of Andy Reid's offense.

Shurmur was an assistant coach on Reid's staff when Pederson was brought in at quarterback in 1999. By the time Pederson joined Reid's staff in 2009, Shurmur had left for St. Louis.

Bradford earned $13.9 million in 2015 in the last year of his original contract with the Rams.

The Eagles can use their franchise tag to retain Bradford, but that would mean paying him about $20 million for 2016.

Eagles owner Jeff Lurie, who said a franchise quarterback should be the team's No. 1 priority when the Eagles acquired Bradford, said he would leave player evaluations to Pederson.

"Sam brings a whole skill set that benefits him," Pederson said. "It is a pass-friendly system, but it is not so much a vertical system as people think. Today's game has changed offensively. You're seeing more spread-style offenses, more of the run/pass options that quarterbacks have at the line of scrimmage.

"Quarterbacks today have the ability to think with their brain, and I want to tap into that, too."

Kelly's offense didn't allow Bradford much freedom to change or adjust plays at the line of scrimmage. As interim head coach, Shurmur gave Bradford more freedom in the Eagles' final game. They defeated the New York Giants, 35-30, as Bradford completed a season-high 78.9 percent of his passes.