Bradford: ‘I Hope [Shurmur] Gets Serious Consideration’

With coaching rumors swirling in the wake of the Eagles’ firing of Chip Kelly, including an interview already conducted with running backs coach Duce Staley, the idea of Pat Shurmur being interviewed has already circulated.

Shurmur was asked about the possibility during his first press conference as interim head coach on Wednesday, but he said he was focused on the Giants game. After the win, he was asked again — in many different ways — whether he might be interested in becoming the head coach of an organization he has spent 13 years with.

He said he just wanted to take a shower, get back to Philadelphia, and see his family before Monday’s exit interviews with the team. But when asked if he might have an interview lined up with Jeffrey Lurie and the Eagles, he let slide a quick response that may have shown his hand.

“I guess we’re going to meet here in the near future,” Shurmur responded. However, where he was referring to, and who, was left especially vague.

As far as Bradford was concerned, it seems like a great idea.

“I think the quarterback-head coach relationship is extremely important in any organization,” Bradford said after the game, “and obviously, given the history I have with [Shurmur], we were together my rookie year and kind of reunited this year, I think it would mean a lot to me [to have Shurmur as a head coach].

“I would love to play for him, and I really enjoyed playing for him today. Obviously, if he is a candidate, I hope he gets serious consideration.”

Bradford turned in a good performance in the season finale, completing 30-of-38 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Eagles also scored 35 points for the first time since their wild win over the Patriots in Week 13.

Shurmur said he was impressed with what he saw from Bradford, but he wasn’t surprised.

“I think what you’re seeing from him in the second half of the year is more of what you can expect,” Shurmur said of his quarterback, who in the final seven games of the season completed 67.9 percent of his passes, threw for nearly 2,000 yards, and tossed 10 touchdowns to four interceptions.

Bradford, for his part, was overtly complimentary of his former-and-current head coach.

“[Shurmur] wasn’t in an easy position today,” Bradford said. “I think, what he did this week, the way he led this football team, was remarkable, really. Because I don’t think anyone wants to be put in that position, but he did a great job. I think he called a great game today. I think the guys really bought into him this week.”