Bradford trade helped both sides

Howie Roseman was named the NFL Executive of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America on Thursday, it was hard to think the Eagles would be hosting the NFC title game without the series of moves he made related to their quarterback situation: trading up for Wentz, recouping a first-round pick by parting with Bradford and letting Wentz develop, selecting Barnett and using his fourthround stockpile to acquire Ajayi.

But while Roseman is being lauded for building a championship contender with the help of the Bradford trade, Vikings GM Rick Spielman has a team favored to win the NFC title on the road this Sunday.

Spielman, who was named Pro Football Weekly’s Executive of the Year last week, is being honored in some ways for his ability to build a contending team even though the player for whom he traded his first-round pick has been on the field for six quarters this season.

The Vikings knew they needed a veteran backup behind Bradford, and signed Keenum on March 31 in a deal that will turn out to be worth $2.25 million after incentives. His contract is a bargain that’s delivered returns probably beyond even what the Vikings expected. And despite not having a firstround pick in a draft that was already thin on the offensive line, Spielman made moves to upgrade the dilapidated unit, betting on Riley Reiff’s ability to play left tackle, signing Mike Remmers on the right side and trading up to select center Pat Elflein.

So while the Eagles, 16 months after the Bradford trade, appear to have won a deal where the percentages always favored them, the Vikings found another way to the NFC Championship Game after their best-laid plans didn’t work out.