Eagles wide receivers throw support behind Sam Bradford

If there was a level of awkwardness around the Philadelphia Eagles’ facility when Sam Bradford returned to work last week after demanding a trade, the guys he will be throwing to this season aren’t showing it.

Jordan Matthews, the Eagles’ leading receiver last season, said Tuesday that he understands Bradford’s situation and praised him for getting right back to work.

“All that stuff was happening, but when he came back he got right back into it and got right back to work,” Matthews said, via Matt Lombardo of NJ.com. “That’s what we need to do and that’s what he has to focus on. All the other stuff gets nullified if we go out there and win. Once the pads go on, Sam’s not going to be sitting back thinking ‘what if.’ No, he’s going to be out there ready to go win a freakin’ football game.

“I know Sam. Sam’s going to want to go out there and win. He doesn’t have social media, but he knows what people say. He wants to prove them wrong. We want him out there.”

Chris Givens, who was just signed by Philadelphia this offseason but had his most successful season with Bradford and the St. Louis Rams in 2010, echoed Matthews’ sentiments.

“I think people saying Sam doesn’t want to compete are the farthest thing from the truth,” Givens said. “He’s a competitor. He’s a guy that wants to win. He’s a guy that comes to work every day looking for ways to get better. He’s a guy that people look to to lead.”

Obviously, Bradford’s top targets don’t feel the way Michael Bennett feels about the situation. The Seattle Seahawks defensive end unloaded on Bradford this week with some comments that are worth reading.

Bradford needs to win games and avoid a bad start in 2016. He said as much on Tuesday, acknowledging that he understands the fans are frustrated. If he stumbles out of the gate, it won’t take long before people are calling for Carson Wentz to start.