Top draft pick Sam Bradford has signed a record-breaking six-year contract worth $78 million with the St Louis Rams.
Top draft choice given biggest ever lump sum as St Louis sign him up
Overall number one pick from the NFL draft, quarterback Sam Bradford, has signed a record-breaking six-year contract worth $78 million with the St Louis Rams.
Bradford's deal will hand him a guaranteed sum of $50m, which represents the most ever given to an NFL player in a single contract.
The Oklahoma product will now carry the huge price tag on his shoulders, along with the hopes of a struggling team which has been floundering over the last few years.
The Rams had a 1-15 record last season as they averaged just under 11 points a game, and now Bradford will be charged with helping turn the fortunes around of a team with just six wins in the last three seasons.
23-year-old Bradford threw 48 touchdown passes in 2008, but his Sooners career was ended after just three games of last season due to an injury in his throwing arm, but that did not put off the Rams.
Top pick
St Louis used the first overall pick to bring in Bradford, and duly handed him a deal to eclipse fellow quarterback and number one pick Matthew Stafford, who was handed a $72 million deal by Detroit last year.
2008 Heisman Trophy winner Bradford will be trying not to let his record setting deal play on his mind, as he tries to get himself accustomed to NFL life as soon as possible.
"If you start worrying about all those other things, then it can really affect your performance," Bradford said. "I have very high expectations for myself and this team, and I think that's what's going to drive me to succeed."
After missing three practice sessions while his contract was sorted, Bradford joined coach Steve Spagnuolo and his team for training and said he felt good despite all the distractions.
"I felt really comfortable, more comfortable than I did in OTAs, which is a positive sign after taking four or five weeks off," Bradford added. "I felt like it was a good day."
Despite Spagnuolo stating veteran AJ Feely was the starter as things stand, Bradford will surely be pulling the strings before long, and the fortunes of St Louis will rest with him and veteran running back Steven Jackson.
Jackson, the only Pro Bowler on the team last year, carried St Louis offensively and will now hope to get some help from a young quarterback eager to prove himself.
"I would be naive to say he doesn't feel he has something to prove right away," Jackson said. "The only thing I can do as a veteran that's been in those shoes: Play football the way you know how. He's not the No. 1 pick for no reason, so I'm pretty sure as the season goes on and as his career goes on, he will blossom."
