The Facts: Matthews flew to Oklahoma in March to spend a week with Sam Bradford. He works each day with Bradford and invested in a relationship with the quarterback whose performance helps dictate Matthews' livelihood. So Matthews offered a message for anyone who might object to Bradford's taking two weeks away from the team and requesting a trade after the Eagles acquired the No. 2 pick to select Carson Wentz. "If I'm cool with it, then everybody should be cool with it," Matthews said. "I'm still running for his butt. You know what I'm saying? Look, if I want to be here, and I'm happy with it, and we can go out there and just compete, that's all I want to focus on. That's all that matters."

Diehards Line: Bradford said he found acceptance in the Eagles locker room. Teammates distinguish what is business from what is personal. While Eagles fans might feel affronted by someone who did not want to be on the team, the players maintained a more nuanced perspective. "When guys walk in the door, no one's focused on the business sort of things," TE Zach Ertz said. "Going through the offseason this year and going through my contract [extension], you kind of get an understanding for the business side of football." Ertz emphasized that Bradford missed only seven days. Asked if the team held a meeting upon his return, Ertz said there was no need to do so for a player who was absent for seven voluntary workouts. Ertz said everyone might not agree with how Bradford went about the last two weeks, but the players don't judge him. Meanwhile, Matthews thinks that Bradford will eventually get the fans behind him. "Everything is forgiven if you win," Matthews said.