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At QB, Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen Mesh

Despite competition, relationship working well

Quarterbacks Josh Rosen (3) and Sam Bradford discuss their craft at a recent OTA.
Quarterbacks Josh Rosen (3) and Sam Bradford discuss their craft at a recent OTA.

Sam Bradford is the Cardinals' starting quarterback, Josh Rosen is the 10th overall pick whom the team sees as the long-term solution at the position, and coach Steve Wilks has said more than once it will be on-field play that ultimately determines who is under center this season.

Both Bradford and Rosen understand. It's a spot that could be awkward. It is not.

"You just have to understand the situation and understand your role," Bradford said during an interview featured on the newest edition of "Cardinals Flight Plan," which will post Wednesday night. "We're all one in that quarterback room. We are all in there to help each other, but at the same time, we're all in there to compete. But I don't think those things should ever get in the way. I think you can do both of those things."

Bradford reached out to Rosen via text as soon as Rosen was drafted, promising such things. On the field during organized team activities the last three weeks, the two interact often.

Rosen had said, before the rookies had started to work with the veterans, he appreciated Bradford reaching out. Now that they have spent time together, Rosen said it has been "awesome."

"I couldn't have asked for a better quarterback room," Rosen said Tuesday night, while watching the Diamondbacks play the Reds along with his fellow rookies. "Mike Glennon, Sam Bradford and coach (Byron) Leftwich are really supportive. It's a great atmosphere. We're all trying to get better."

There are other pieces to the room. Glennon for one. Undrafted rookie Chad Kanoff, from Princeton, is also part of the group.

Kanoff praised both Bradford and Glennon for helping him, and have clearly helped Rosen – "although (Josh) seems to know more than I do," Kanoff said with a smile.

Bradford said when he came into the league, veteran A.J. Feeley was a mentor when both were with the Rams, and he has not forgotten that.

"Having been around for a while and understanding my role as an older guy in the quarterback room, I wanted to reach out and welcome him, let him know I was going to be there to help him if he ever needed anything," Bradford said. "He could always come to me and ask questions. I would try to give him everything I have learned."

Rosen has performed well in the skeleton version of football the Cardinals are playing during OTAs. Because Bradford is on a program that is judicious with his reps this time of year, Rosen's opportunities are greater than they might have otherwise been.

Coach Steve Wilks has complemented Rosen's smarts (although he has emphasized Rosen is still playing like a rookie), and doesn't close the door on Rosen as potential starter.

Rosen takes Wilks' comment as a compliment, because he knows it at least provides an opportunity. But, Rosen added, "it's not going to change what I do."

"Whether he told me I had absolutely no chance of playing or was going to be the starter, I am always going to work as hard as I possibly can every day," Rosen said.

That work will come alongside Bradford, his competition and his teammate.

"They are vets, they know how to do it," Rosen said. "I am just trying to learn."

Images from the Cardinals' final OTA of the week

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